Jim Thorpe Area School District is looking to bring one of its emotional support classrooms currently run through Behavioral Health Associates back in house.

Superintendent Robert Presley said during a committee meeting Wednesday night that the district currently pays $135,000 for a certified special education teacher and paraprofessional to staff a fourth and fifth grade emotional support classroom through BHA at its Penn Kidder Campus.

“We’ve brought back a life skills and emotional support class in the past where the district hires the staff and we’re looking to do that again here,” Presley said. “We estimate in the long run that it will be a net zero cost for us and we’ll be able to educate our students in the least restrictive environment and ensure a continuum of services.”

Jim Thorpe staffs its own K-3 emotional support classroom at Penn Kidder and Presley said by doing the same for fourth and fifth grade, there would be more continuity.

“The classroom run by BHA currently has five students,” Presley said. “By us bringing it back in house we could also bring back three additional students who are currently outplaced, which would save the district over $34,000 plus transportation costs.”

Jim Thorpe Special Education Director Fawn Meli said the classes provide education therapy and “a place for students to have a soft landing if they are having an emotional time throughout the day.”

Along with the special education certified teacher, the paraprofessional brought in to staff the class would be specially trained to address behavior needs, Meli added.

“We would also be looking to bring in a board certified behavior analyst,” Presley said. “We currently contract out for that and pay $9,000 a month for two days per week and the individual only works with one student. Our own BCBA could see lots of students and be a great help to our teachers.”