Lehighton Area School District will extend its relationship with Lehigh Valley Health Network after the school board approved two contracts Monday night covering both provider services and a wide-ranging health collaboration and marketing sponsorship.

According to motions approved at the meeting, the agreements will run from the 2025-26 school year through the 2029-30 school year

One contract, titled the “Provider Services Agreement,” establishes school-based behavioral health clinics and physician services through Lehigh Valley Hospital. The other, a “Health Collaboration and Marketing Sponsorship Agreement,” provides athletic training, sports medicine, health education, sponsorship funding and exclusive marketing rights for LVHN throughout the district.

Superintendent Jason Moser noted during discussion earlier this month that the agreements largely mirror what was outlined when proposals were originally sought.

“In fact, we actually received a few more services than what was originally proposed,” Moser said of the pact. “The sponsorship agreement is completely consistent with what we were looking for.”

The sponsorship fee, paid by LVHN, is $50,000 per year over five years, with additional earmarked funding for scholarships, emergency medical services on game days, athletic training supplies, AED pad replacement and six AED units in the first year.

Athletic services

LVHN, per the agreement, will provide one sports medicine physician, three full-time certified athletic trainers and a sports performance coach to cover senior high and middle school sports.

The trainers will cover practices and home games six days a week, and will travel to varsity football away games and playoff contests when possible. LVHN will also designate a sports medicine physician to attend all home varsity football games and conduct preseason physicals for student-athletes three times per year.

The agreement also provides ImPACT concussion testing, CPR/AED and first aid certification for staff, a strength and conditioning software program, and weight certifications. Seminars on sports nutrition and psychology are also included.

Marketing provisions designate LVHN as the district’s exclusive health care sponsor, meaning no contracts may be made with competitors. LVHN will have exclusive branding rights in district facilities, on scoreboards, signage, banners, tickets, social media and press releases.

Behavioral health services

The agreement establishes behavioral health clinics in district schools. The clinics will operate during normal school hours when schools are open, and will be staffed by LVHN behavioral health providers offering individual, family and group therapy. Telehealth services will also be available when in-person services are not.

The agreement sets a weekly caseload limit of 35 students and states that providers may participate in meetings, professional development and caregiver engagement activities upon mutual agreement.

In addition, LVHN will provide school-based physician services consistent with state requirements. These services may include physical exams and other school health duties outlined in Pennsylvania law.

Oversight and termination

Both agreements outline termination provisions. Either party may end the sponsorship agreement without cause with 30 days’ notice, or with cause if breaches are not corrected. The provider services agreement allows either party to terminate with 60 days’ notice, or within 10 days if LVHN cannot provide staffing.