The District 118 Board of Education approved a contract to continue orientation and mobility services for students with visual impairments, renewing an hourly agreement with specialist Bailey Gilbert at $150 per hour and $75 per travel day, director of special education Molly Bailey said.

Bailey told the board that orientation and mobility (O&M) services are difficult to secure and that some students have O&M listed on their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). She said the service is required for several students for approximately two hours a week, yielding an estimated weekly cost of about $450 and an estimated school-year cost of roughly $25,000. The district plans to pay for the contract with IDEA grant funds.

“This service is required on a few of our students’ IEPs,” Molly Bailey said. She added the contractor has not changed her hourly rate for the last two school years.

Board members moved and seconded the contract approval; a roll call vote carried 7–0. District staff said the contract includes consultation, paperwork and attendance at IEP meetings in addition to direct services and that travel billing is limited when the contractor is already in the area and can avoid duplicate trips.

The board approved the contract and asked staff to proceed with finalizing terms and to continue using IDEA funds for the service.