Board renews Kids Treehouse contract for pediatric speech services, cites staffing shortages

The Southside Independent School District Board on Wednesday approved a one-year renewal with Kids Treehouse Pediatric Therapy for speech-language pathology services, authorizing an annual not-to-exceed amount of $242,000.

Purchasing manager Dan Garza said the item is an exercised option under RFP 24-015 and was requested by Special Programs. Dr. Salinas, the special programs representative, told the board the district currently had four SLP positions, hired one applicant this year and remains short three vacancies. "Those positions are, as you know, hard to fill," Dr. Salinas said. She added many SLPs prefer remote or hybrid roles and that the contractor provides on-site professionals.

The nut graf: Staff compared contractor costs to hiring district employees and said an annual contractor cost would be roughly $130,000 for a contractor on a 186-day contract versus an estimated $100,000–$105,000 total compensation for a full-year district SLP; the district plans continued recruitment efforts including conference outreach.

The board moved, seconded and approved the one-year extension to maintain on-site speech services while the district continues recruitment efforts for permanent hires.