Scranton outlines plan to expand Monticello special ed program at former Friendship House

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Scranton School District leaders met with East Mountain residents Tuesday night for a town hall in Scranton. The district outlined plans to expand Monticello, its center-based special education program, into the former Friendship House building.

District officials said the expansion is planned for 1509 Maple St. and would add full-time autistic support classrooms. They said they held the town hall to answer questions and address concerns from nearby residents, with traffic and delivery trucks among the issues they anticipated as the site is converted for school use.

Dr. Erin Keating, superintendent of the Scranton School District, said the district is expanding services as enrollment and special education needs rise.

“The Scranton School District has seen an increase in enrollment, and we’re also seeing a dramatic increase in our special education population. Over the last two years, we’ve opened 18 autistic support classrooms. We have about 60 little kids coming into kindergarten next year who will need specialized services like autistic support, and we want to make sure we have enough room,” said Keating.

Keating said the district plans to open eight classrooms, serving nearly 70 students, with transportation by vans or small buses rather than large school buses. She said the goal is to open at the beginning of the next school year in August 2026.

Tom Borthwick, Scranton School Board president, said the district is focused on providing specialized support for students in a dedicated setting.

“We’re providing a service that kids desperately need. Autistic students need special attention. They need programmatic features that help them develop. By having a center devoted to that, that’s only going to help our kids,” said Borthwick.

Borthwick said the move could open up room in elementary schools, including for preschool expansion.

Robert Rucker, director of operations for the Scranton School District, said the project is moving on a fast timeline, with demolition expected to begin in late March and take about 28 days.

Rucker said construction would follow soon after, once plans are finalized and bids are reviewed by the school board.

Residents who missed the meeting will be able to watch the town hall on the Scranton School District’s YouTube channel.