Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Education Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District contracts teletherapy to cover speech-pathologist shortages
Summary
Springfield District 186 approved a short-term teletherapy contract to cover 3.5 vacant speech-language pathologist positions while recruiting permanent staff, board members were told.
Springfield Public Schools District 186 authorized a teletherapy contract to provide speech-language pathology services starting Aug. 11 while the district continues to recruit permanent staff. The contract with Link Up Teletherapy covers up to 3.5 full-time equivalent SLP positions at a maximum rate of $11,157 per week, based on an $85-per-hour rate, the administration told the board.
District leaders said the decision was driven by an immediate shortage of certified speech-language pathologists. The superintendent told the board the district has “very difficult times in finding speech and language therapists” and that local and statewide shortages of graduates and competing employment options have left the district short 3.5 positions.
The board was briefed that the contract is intended as a stopgap. Mr. Lehman, a district staff member who recommended the contract, said negotiating produced a lower rate than last year: “That $85 an hour is cheaper than last year’s. We renegotiated contracts. It’s about $20 cheaper.” The administration said the district is still posting openings, offering signing bonuses and stipends, and will hire permanent staff immediately if candidates accept positions; contracted teletherapy services would then be reduced accordingly.
The administration also noted legal obligations the district must meet. District staff explained that services are provided to parochial (nonpublic) schools under a proportionate-share requirement, a statutory obligation the district must satisfy.
Board members asked practical questions about how the virtual services are delivered and whether the district pays for unused contracted hours. The administration said the $11,157 figure is the maximum weekly cost; the district pays only for services actually used and will scale the contract down if it hires permanent SLPs.
The motion to approve the consent agenda that included the teletherapy contract passed on a 6-0 vote. The board packet listed the contract as effective Aug. 11 through Feb. 15 and described it as covering speech and language vacancies districtwide.
The board and staff said they will continue recruiting and that the contract can be terminated or reduced if in‑district hires are found.
