The Board is authorizing several special education related services contracts for the 2026-2027 school year. These include hourly contracts with Progressive Therapy of New Jersey at 120 per hour and GHR Education at 70 per hour for related services, multiple physical therapy service packages with DeMonte Physical Therapy for specific students (group and individual PT sessions with defined not-to-exceed amounts), and evaluation services such as a PT evaluation by DeMonte Therapy Services (365) and Functional Behavioral Assessments by Progressive Therapy of NJ at 120 per hour. Additionally, the district is approving an out-of-district placement for student 6458 at Bayshore Jointure Commission at 118500 for ESY and the 2026-2027 school year.These approvals create a detailed map of the district’s special education service providers, rate structures, and high-cost placements for the coming year. While the immediate contracts are set, this information is valuable for competing therapy providers, behavioral consultants, and specialized schools to benchmark pricing and identify where the district may be open to alternative programs, in-district supports, or cost-saving models in future years. A follow-up conversation could focus on the district’s goals for managing special education costs while maintaining service quality, and where innovative programs or staffing models might reduce reliance on high-cost placements or outsourced services over time.

Contracts cover both ESY and the regular school year, showing ongoing reliance on external providers and out-of-district placements.