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Board renews sign-language interpreter services contract, district cites EIPA certification requirements
Summary
The board approved a 2025–26 professional services agreement with Interpreter Network to provide sign-language interpreter services; staff said the vendor must meet new EIPA assessment requirements and the contract totals $175,000 for the year, funded from instructional funds.
Cumberland County Schools approved a 2025–26 professional services agreement with the Interpreter Network to provide sign‑language interpretation for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, a contract the district said will total about $175,000 and be paid from instructional funds.
Dr. Mitchell, a staff member presenting the contract, said the vendor will supply sign-language interpreters to work alongside students in classrooms and that new Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) requirements mean interpreters must score at least 3.5 out of 5 on the assessment. "This particular contract is providing sign language interpreter services to our students ... We're looking to renew for a 175,000 for this school year," Dr. Mitchell said.
Scope and staffing: Dr. Mitchell said approximately 10 interpreters are supporting students across the district; two are directly hired by the district and the remainder are contracted through vendors. The particular agreement being approved will provide four contract interpreters who will work in schools for the 2025–26 year.
Budget and oversight: the contract is funded from the district’s instructional funds. Committee members asked about the number of interpreters in the district and staffing approaches; Dr. Mitchell confirmed the mix of direct hires and contracted interpreters and explained that the contract is part of the district’s plan to meet required services under students’ individualized education plans (IEPs).
Next steps: the committee approved the renewal and asked staff to continue reporting on service delivery and certification compliance; the contract will go forward for execution.
