Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Education Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District concludes contracting for sign‑language interpreting remains cost‑effective vs. hiring in‑house
Summary
District staff told the board the current, contracted model for sign‑language interpreting remains cheaper than hiring interpreters as employees because contracting avoids benefit costs and offers flexibility to meet fluctuating student demand.
Board members questioned whether the district should hire sign‑language interpreters as employees rather than rely on contracted firms. District staff explained the current model bills hourly with no employee benefits included; while the district currently has three full‑time contracted interpreters and anticipates adding one more, hiring in‑house with benefits would cost more than continuing to contract when benefits and overhead are included.
Staff said demand for direct interpreting services fluctuates based on student needs; historically the district has had two to three students requiring interpreter support and this year added one unexpectedly. Interpreting is a direct communication modality for deaf/Hard‑of‑Hearing students that generally cannot be faded in the same way as some other supports, so staffing and scheduling must match student schedules and individual needs. The district conducts regular bids to ensure contracts remain competitive.
Why this matters: The decision affects recurring personnel costs, benefit obligations and the district’s ability to meet Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 communication accommodations for students who use sign language as their primary mode of communication.
Board action and next steps: Staff will continue to solicit bids and monitor caseloads and costs; no change to the contracting approach was adopted in the workshop.
