Glade Run Lutheran Services will remain open after cutting a deal with state officials. It’s a settlement that might disappoint those hoping the proverbial hammer would fall in retribution for the agency’s failings. But it’s undoubtedly got the best interests of the most important people — the children — in mind.

The settlement includes, among other things, provisions that require: a supervisor be on campus and immediately available to staff members any time a child is present; stricter staff ratios for children older than age six; workers to observe every child at least once every half-hour, and document their observation; the agency develop a policy to ensure the director or a supervisor will observe children at each facility at least two times per eight hour shift.

Department of Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas called the agreement, which also provides for unannounced inspections by state officials, “probably unprecedented ... in terms of its severity.”

It’s a complicated, five-year deal that not only applies to the agency’s current facilities, of which there are four, but to any future treatment facilities Glade Run might open. And while they may seem bureaucratic or milquetoast, the new regulations represent the best option for the agency’s clients — some of whom undoubtedly would have been harmed had Glade Run been shuttered — going forward.

Yes, it might seem more satisfying — righteous even — to simply advocate for Glade Run’s shutdown. After all, the state’s contention is that staff members’ negligence resulted in sexual misconduct up to and including “rape” among young boys, as well as a pair of residents aged 12 and 15 going missing for four days during a summer outing at Sandcastle Water Park — among other things.

That doesn’t inspire much confidence in the organization’s ability to provide services to the nearly 100 troubled youths across its four facilities. Confidence is exactly what this agreement with DHS allows Glade Run to re-earn, from both Butler County and its clients. It will not be easy — and it shouldn’t be — given the nature of the allegations against the institution.

But competent supervision and treatment are essential to the future of the juveniles — from autism clients to those suffering from emotional and mental issues — served by institutions like Glade Run. Anyone who believes it would have been as simple as shutting the facility’s doors and sending the clients elsewhere is sorely mistaken.