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Knoxon board approves Harmony online program and several student‑services contracts; trustees discuss privacy and funding
Summary
The board approved a one‑year Harmony online education contract (no district cost unless families enroll) and contracts with Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch and a rural behavioral‑health institute for school‑based counseling and anonymized data screening; trustees sought clarity on Medicaid billing, data handling and volunteer teacher responsibilities.
The Knoxon School District board approved multiple service agreements covering curriculum options and student supports during its May meeting.
Harmony contract: Board members approved a one‑year agreement with Harmony (an online education provider) for the 2025–26 school year. Trustees emphasized the one‑year term as a test run and noted there is no upfront cost to the district: "We don't pay Harmony anything if no kid on," a board member said. The board discussed community outreach for parent enrollment and the possibility of volunteer teacher(s) of record to sign off on grades when families select options that require district oversight.
Student‑behavioral services: The board also approved an agreement with Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch to continue school‑based counseling (a CSCT program) and a separate agreement with a rural behavioral‑health institute to collect anonymized survey data and provide early‑alert screening. District staff said these contracts do not require district operating dollars and that Medicaid or private insurance covers services when applicable: "The cost of the district is nothing. We just have to provide a space," the superintendent said. Trustees asked questions about sliding‑fee schedules, privacy safeguards and whether data are identifiable; administrators responded that the data are numerically randomized and not tied to student identifiers.
Public commenters asked for a Harmony representative to meet with staff and for clearer communication to families about how services are used and who is eligible. One parent said she had learned children had been taken to lunchtime counseling appointments without parents’ prior awareness and asked for clearer information going forward.
The board approved the contracts by voice vote and directed administration to arrange outreach and information sessions for staff and families as needed.
What’s next: Administration will coordinate follow‑up meetings, seek Harmony representatives for staff or parent sessions if requested, and circulate confidentiality and billing details for the behavioral‑health programs.
