Lehighton Area School District is considering reinstating funding next year for PSAT exams that were eliminated by a previous board during districtwide budget cuts.

Superintendent Jason Moser said the PSAT exam, which about 50 students plan to take next week, would cost the district an estimated $900 if it were covered.

“In order to qualify for National Merit Scholarship consideration, students have to take the PSAT,” High School Principal Sue Howland said. “We started offering it to 10th graders years back to give them a baseline for how they might perform on the SAT.”

After PSAT costs were cut from the district’s budget, students and their families had to pay for the test on their own. If every 11th grader at Lehighton took the exam, Howland said, it would cost the district just over $2,400.

“We used to provide this,” director Jeremy Glaush said. “But back when the board was doing things a certain way, they cut the things that mattered the most to students. It’s sad.”

During Monday’s workshop, board members said they favored covering the cost of the PSAT exam once again.

“I just whispered to (Business Manager) Matt (Lentz), we should create a line item,” director Duane Dellecker said.

As the discussion turned to eligibility, Howland asked how the board wanted to handle 10th graders who choose to take the exam early.

“If we’re looking at all 11th graders, what about a 10th grade student who wants to take it? Would that be included?” she asked. “Many do choose to take it early. A lot of our 10th graders are taking the SAT in the spring, and it really depends on the individual student and their plan with their counselor.”

Board President Joy Beers said the district should remain open to flexibility.

Monday’s workshop was a nonvoting session, meaning the item could come up for board approval in the near future.

Directors also asked what the cost would be if the district covered the cost of Advanced Placement course tuition for students who enroll in them.

Moser aid AP exams would cost the district about $11,000.

“There are waivers and reductions, but based on the number of students we have, that would be the highest total,” he added.