Chandler Unified board approves current behavioral-health agreement after debate over funding role

The Chandler Unified School District Governing Board voted 3–2 Wednesday to continue its existing intergovernmental agreement with Southwest Behavioral Health Services (SBH) after board members debated language that would clarify when the district must pay for SBH-provided behavioral services.

Board member Rohrs moved to keep the district operating under the current IGA while staff and legal counsel review proposed contract language; the motion passed by roll call. Board members who voted in favor said continuing the existing agreement avoids an interruption of services that begin July 1, when the prior agreement would otherwise lapse.

Why it matters: SBH provides behavioral-health supports tied to specialized programs, individual education plans and the district's care center. Several trustees raised concerns that the contract as written left the district's financial obligations unclear and asked for explicit steps requiring SBH to obtain written approval from the district before billing for particular services.

Board debate and amendments: Board member Heap proposed specific contract edits intended to require SBH to submit itemized cost approvals to the district education specialist and to reassess eligibility before continuing funded services into a new school year. Heap said the amendments were meant to remove ambiguity about the district's financial responsibility: “I think there's an opportunity to amend that. The language was a little open ended as far as the district's financial commitment,” he said.

District administrators and staff told the board the IGA structure is used in several different contexts: services tied to IEPs or specialized programs, services that come through the care center, and more ad hoc services that partner agencies provide. Dr. Craig Gilbert, an administrator who addressed the board during the discussion, said the agreements vary by service route and that some arrangements (for example, care-center encounters) are operationally different from the IEP-related SBH services. He also warned that changes to the agreement would require review by the district's legal counsel and by SBH's attorneys.

Timeline concerns: Trustees noted the current agreement expires June 30 and that a gap could interrupt services for students who rely on behavioral supports. Board members pressed for a solution that would preserve services while the district and SBH finalize contract language.

Final action: After debate and an attempted amendment, the board voted to keep the existing IGA in place and move forward under the current contract language while staff and counsel continue negotiating clarifying language. The motion passed 3–2. The board recorded dissent from two members who preferred delaying approval until proposed contract clarifications and legal review were completed.

What the board asked staff to do next: Trustees directed staff to circulate any proposed redline language and to coordinate legal review so the board could consider any changes at a subsequent meeting; administrators also confirmed they would ensure services continue without an operational gap.

Context and budget note: Trustees referenced a budgeted amount associated with SBH services (the consent materials listed $70,000 as the budgeted figure for that contract line), and one board member asked that staff confirm whether other funding sources (grants, Medicaid reimbursements or parent-approved services) would be relied on before the district assumed additional payment obligations.

Votes at a glance: Motion to continue operating under the current IGA/MOU while proposed contract language is reviewed — passed 3–2.

Speakers quoted: Board member Rohrs; Board member Heap; Dr. Craig Gilbert, administrator (retiring).