Board focuses on in-district behavioral supports as first step for alternative-education needs
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Summary
The board reviewed three Level 2 alternative-education options (a TCPS-only model at ~$500,000; a regional partnership at ~$1,000,000; and an in-house option focused on behavioral therapy/case management). Staff said ALA2 currently serves seven students; the board favored adding behavioral supports (option c) as an initial, lower-cost priority and asked for more county input on the regional model.
Talbot County Board of Education members spent substantial time on Feb. 9 evaluating alternative-education choices to serve students who cannot function in traditional classrooms.
Staff described three options presented by a vendor: option a (a TCPS-only program at approximately $500,000 that would fund four full-time-equivalent positions including a lead teacher, a general-education teacher, a behavioral specialist and a social worker), option b (a regional, multi-county off-site program at about $1,000,000 that would serve up to 80 students assuming other counties participate), and option c (an in-house expansion focused on hiring therapeutic and case-management staff). Staff said TCPS currently has seven students in ALA2 and that Level 1 (CheckMate/in-school interventions) remains in use across campuses.
Board members pressed on eligibility and process: staff reiterated that placements must follow MTSS/504/IEP prereferral procedures and that parents must agree to certain removals; staff further emphasized that ALA2 should include a therapeutic component and case management to support reintegration. Several trustees questioned whether online platforms like Edmentum could inadvertently substitute for hands-on CTE coursework; teaching-and-learning staff said Edmentum is limited to introductory or remedial modules and cannot replace required lab or clinical hours.
After discussion the board favored option c as the prudent initial step to add a behavioral therapist and case-management capacity while continuing to explore options a and b and seeking clarity from neighboring counties about appetite for a regional model. Staff will include placeholders and return with revised cost estimates and additional detail ahead of the Wednesday vote.