JEFFERSON TWP — The South Butler School District may have therapy services available to students from sixth to 12th grade next school year.

Greg Hajek, the director of special services, brought the idea up to the school board during its Wednesday meeting. He said the district is requesting proposals from agencies through the Butler County Human Services Department.

Once bids come in, the district can decide which one best fits the school’s needs. Hajek is not yet sure what criteria the district will look at, but he imagines the therapists’ availability and past experience will be considered.

In addition, school officials will have to decide if they want to go with extended summer services so that treatment will not be disrupted when school is not in session, he said.

Hajek said the agreement would not cost the district anything, so what types of insurance options are accepted by the service provider may also be considered. A service provider that has more payment options would be able to serve more students in the district, he said.

According to Hajek, South Butler is the only district in the county that does not offer this connection of services, providing students with an option for routine therapy.

The district likely will want to start with one therapist and increase that to two as the demand increases, Hajek said. The actual need or demand at the district is not known, but Hajek estimates 20 to 25 students will benefit from the program initially.

“The purpose is obviously to make those connections with students,” Hajek said. “The downside, and I hesitate to call it a downside, is that you’re giving up some of your instructional time.”

Despite that, a more holistic approach might end up helping the student more academically, emotionally and socially, Hajek said.

While the school has guidance counselors and a school psychologist, there are simply too many students to routinely schedule longer sessions with every student who could benefit from it, he said.

The program is expected to start at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year or shortly after, Hajek said.