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Board approves New Story autism services contract; district expects external placements to offset cost
Summary
Trustees approved a one-year New Story contract for an autism services program described as a 36-student placement program; administrators said district and external enrollments should offset the roughly $2.2 million annual contract and that the program expands local special-education capacity.
The Groveport Madison Local School Board approved a one-year contract with New Story to provide autism-specialized services and classroom placements described in the agenda materials. Administrators said the program will serve up to 36 students and that current commitments and anticipated enrollments from other districts should offset most of the program's cost.
Administrators reported the program currently has roughly 30–33 committed students and that other nearby districts have expressed interest; they said the district may breakeven once roughly 27 students are enrolled. The contract in board materials was discussed as a multi-million-dollar annual arrangement (presented in materials as "2.2" million); board members asked for additional detail on what district responsibilities (transportation, nursing, utilities, paraprofessional support) were included in the per-student accounting. Administration said several one-time build-out costs had already been paid last year and that most operating responsibilities are included in the contract price.
Board members sought clarity on the district's exposure if fewer out-of-district enrollments arrive, how revenue from other districts flows back to Groveport Madison, and whether the district had included administrative billing costs in its projections. Administrators said district offices will invoice other districts and that current commitments make the program financially viable; they noted some figures in the discussion were approximate and that detailed build-out costs would be provided on request.
The board approved the contract on a voice/roll vote. Administration said it would circulate additional detail on build-out costs, student enrollment counts and invoicing procedures.
What happens next: administration to finalize contracts with partner districts, issue invoices as outlined, and report enrollment and revenue updates to the board as the school year begins.
