The Aurora Board of Education unanimously approved a $1.4 million contract for intensive behavioral support services for students with disabilities on Tuesday night.

The contract renews services with Specialized Education of Colorado, Inc. (SESI) and covers program costs for a maximum of 30 students at Sierra School of Aurora.

Broken down, the contract costs $1,371,600, with a per-student fee of about $46,000. The contract also adds an “Extended School Year” fee of $79,716.00, which supports 20 total students.

During Tuesday night’s business meeting, Dr. Anne. Keke, president of the board, asked for the item to be pulled off the consent agenda to have an opportunity to better understand the contract and how the district is utilizing SESI.

Keke asked Superintendent Michael Giles, Jr. and staff members of Sierra School a series of questions about the contract and the success of the program in previous years.

“I want to make sure that this organization serves the students who are in who need properly, that those needs are met, and the balls are not dropped like the ones we have seen in our regular schools,” said Keke.

Sierra School opened in 2021 in response to lack of facility placements for students requiring intensive social and emotional behavioral services after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Giles.

The school provides education and support for students with disabilities in a variety of areas, including autism, serious emotional disability, specific learning disability, multiple disabilities, intellectual disabilities, other health impairments, and traumatic brain injury, according to its website.

It served 25 students last school year, with an average daily cost of $199. This is lower than the average daily cost at many other schools that provide similar services at a range of $166-$345 per day, Giles said at the meeting.

After hearing from the superintendent and Sierra staff about the contract, Keke expressed apprehension: “I just wish we had a little more background information on this before having to sign a contract. If this has been presented to the board before, I don’t remember it.” 

However, she left the decision up to the board to decide and ultimately approved the contract.

Director Dr. Debra Girkin brought the motion forward, Treasurer Tiffany Tasker seconded it, and all board members voted in favor of the motion.

Under the contract, SESI will equip classrooms with program-specific equipment, provide training for SESI staff, and assist students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).

The district will provide facilities and classroom spaces, transportation services, food, safety and security, and district curriculum.

It will also be allowed access to evaluate the program, observe students, and provide parent tours, according to the contract.

Director Vicki Reinhard supported the contract and said that “it fills an extremely high need within the Special Education population.”