St. Luke’s University Health Network is proposing a 10-year health partnership with Palmerton Area School District valued at $736,500.

If Palmerton accepts the decadelong deal, St. Luke’s would provide in-kind sports medicine, behavioral health and occupational medicine services and donations, among other comprehensive health care services for students and employees.

“Our relationship with Palmerton has been in place for quite some time,” Dr. John Hauth, St. Luke’s senior director for sports medicine relationships, said on Tuesday. “We have a strong history of quality access and service that we’re looking to continue here in the district.”

Palmerton board President Kathy Fallow asked if the district had sought a proposal from Lehigh Valley Health Network.

“My recommendation is to stay with St. Luke’s,” Superintendent Dr. Jodi Frankelli said. “We have worked well with them and I have shared some of the feedback we received from our coaches and the nursing staff.”

Palmerton’s current training contract with St. Luke’s expires on June 30. The district currently pays a fee for athletic training services on an annual basis. Under the new deal, Palmerton would get two athletic trainers, a dedicated sports physical therapist and a dedicated sports performance coach, all at no cost to the district.

Savings over the 10 years, based on what Palmerton currently pays, would be $250,000.

“Just upon signing, the district would get $91,500 in sponsorship payments and donations,” said Greg Leh, Senior Director, Business Development for Sports Medicine Relationships at St. Luke’s. “That includes a sponsorship for sports projects, a D11sports.com program sponsorship with the installation of livestreaming equipment in the gymnasium and stadium, and six automated external defibrillators.”

St. Luke’s would also provide a $40,000 per year donation to Palmerton to use as it sees fit. That donation amount is based on an algorithm taking into account school size.

The contract, Hauth said, goes well beyond sports, including Tier 1 behavioral health services through a school-based program that can be tailored to the district’s needs.

“The most important thing we are bringing to school districts right now is behavioral health pieces,” he said. “We continue to do a fantastic job in sports medicine, but the needs are so many in our school districts. It is heart-wrenching listening to what families are going through right now. We hear it and we’re trying to react appropriately to it.”

St. Luke’s also partners with local schools and communities through its Adopt a School Program. The program focuses on improving health outcomes comprehensively through medical, dental, vision and integrated behavioral health.

“I’ve already spoken with John Nespoli, president of the St. Luke’s Carbon County campuses, and he has indicated we feel S.S. Palmer could be a good candidate for that program if the district is interested,” Hauth said.