Molalla River School District Board of Directors on July 24 approved a contract for speech-therapy services and discussed a separate, higher-value contract for occupational therapy, which the board asked staff to return to the August business meeting with additional clarifications.

Board members said the district has struggled to recruit certain specialists and that contracting has become necessary to staff schools. The administration presented the occupational therapy contract for Natalie Schott and said it had followed the district's procurement rules for contracts at that dollar level.

Board members emphasized contract safeguards. The district’s presenter said the contractor “didn’t yet have her own insurance associated with the position” and that the district would not allow the contractor to begin work until required liability coverage was in place. The presenter also said a standard personal-services template includes reimbursement language for travel, lodging and meals; the presenter confirmed that those provisions are “not applicable” for this contractor unless the district specifically agreed to pay such expenses.

Directors debated whether to approve the occupational-therapy contract at the work session or wait until the superintendent and the contractor could answer detailed questions in person. One board member suggested approving the use of a contracted occupational therapist and directing administration to negotiate a final agreement; others said they preferred to vote after hearing from the superintendent. Board members ultimately asked staff to return the occupational-therapy contract at the August business meeting with clarifications on insurance and expense provisions.

Separately, a motion to approve the speech-therapy contract was moved, seconded and approved on a roll call. The meeting record shows the board voted in favor; the motion carried.

The board’s discussion makes clear administrators are relying on contracted specialists where hiring permanent staff has proven difficult. The district will return with the finalized occupational-therapy contract in August, according to members’ direction.