Pelham Board renews contracts for special-education services, approves new behavior-analyst position

Pelham — The Pelham Board of Education on Aug. 4 approved renewal agreements for a range of part-time special-education services and accepted a new contract to provide a certified behavior analyst for students with individualized education programs, district staff said.

Dr. Costanza presented 10 renewals, describing services that include physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, speech and language (including Spanish-language services for preschool children), orientation and mobility for visually impaired students, developmental testing for early intervention referrals and a contract with Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates for audiology services. On item No. 8, Dr. Costanza identified a new agreement to provide a certified behavior analyst; an unnamed board member asked, “On number 8, the new one, is this a position that we’re backfilling that we needed or…,” and the presenter confirmed the item as the new position.

The board voted by voice to approve items 1 through 10 as presented. The chair called for a motion, a second was provided, and members answered “aye” when asked; no opposition was voiced in the transcript and the motion passed.

According to Dr. Costanza’s summary, the renewals were “related to providing additional special education services based on IEPs, accommodations, and a variety of different services.” The contracts cover services across age ranges, including preschool Spanish-language speech and language services and early-intervention developmental testing, and support students identified in the district under special-education needs.

The board did not provide dollar amounts, vendor contract numbers, or explicit start or end dates for the renewals during the special meeting; those details were not specified in the transcript. The board noted the approvals at the special-call meeting and adjourned after brief remarks and announcements.