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Board approves multiple contracts for special education and therapy services; estimated not-to-exceed amounts noted
Summary
Trustees awarded RFPs for speech, occupational and physical therapy, special-education evaluations and contracted special-education teaching services to a set of vendors; staff provided not-to-exceed estimates for additional costs.
The Southwest ISD board voted to award several request-for-proposal contracts for student services on Tuesday, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, special-education evaluations and contracted special-education teaching services.
District staff said they solicited proposals and recommended multiple vendors on each RFP to ensure capacity and continuity of services. For speech therapy (RFP 2425-131) staff listed a slate of vendors and said additional district costs would not exceed $500,000 for the 2024'25 school year. For occupational therapy (RFP 2425-132) staff recommended awarding to National Recruiting Consultants and Soliant Health with an estimated additional cost not to exceed $600,000. Special-education evaluation services (RFP 2425-133) and physical therapy (RFP 2425-134) were similarly awarded to multiple vendors; staff said the physical therapy additional cost is not anticipated to exceed $200,000 for 2024'25.
The board also approved RFP 2425-135 for contracted special-education teaching services with an estimated additional cost of $800,000. Staff explained the contracts allow the district to contract for certified personnel temporarily while recruitment continues.
Why it matters: these services are part of the district's special-education and related-services program and support students with individualized education program (IEP) needs. Contracted vendors help the district meet service timelines when in-house staff are not available.
Board action: motions awarding the recommended vendor lists for each RFP were approved by voice vote. For each RFP, staff will manage vendor onboarding and monthly additions to the vendor pool through May 31, 2030, where noted, to allow flexibility in staffing.
Ending: Staff said these multi-vendor awards are intended to maintain service levels and compliance with special-education timelines while the district continues teacher and clinician recruitment efforts.
