Board approves one-year shared-services contract to provide deaf and hard-of-hearing support to Solon Springs

The Board of Education on July 14 approved a shared-services contract to provide deaf and hard-of-hearing services to the Solon Springs School District, with amendments adopted during the meeting to correct the hourly rate and the contract term. Administrators described the contract as an opportunity to share staff where Superior has a reduced caseload and Solon Springs needs support. Under the approved agreement a member of Superior's staff would remain a full-time district employee and provide services to Solon Springs; Solon Springs will reimburse the district for the staff time provided. During the meeting staff and the board corrected errors in the draft contract. The board amended the agreement to set the hourly reimbursement rate at $63.18 (to include fringe) and changed the contract term to one year, effective Aug. 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Board members noted the contract will also need formal approval from the Solon Springs School Board before the arrangement becomes final. Administrators said the shared service is expected to involve limited hours of direct service to Solon Springs (about three hours per week in typical weeks), plus a maximum of one hour of preparation time for the employee when appropriate; travel and related compensation provisions are included in the agreement. Board members described the arrangement as a cost-saving alternative to Solon Springs' hiring or contracting externally to fill the need. The motion to approve the amended contract carried by voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.