Board approves nearly $3 million in related‑services contracts for students with disabilities

Marion County School Board members approved a set of related‑services contracts on Tuesday that the district says are necessary to support students with disabilities’ access to general education and extracurricular activities.

District staff presented six related‑services items grouped in one presentation and explained the contracts fund occupational therapy, sign language interpreters, speech therapy, and services for visually impaired students.

The listed contracts included: $1,226,350.25 for 14 independent occupational therapist contracts; $371,581.50 for five independent interpreter agencies; $59,745 for Oasis Occupational Therapy LLC; $525,692.25 for Talk of the Town Therapy (speech therapy); $365,969.25 for The Stepping Stones Group; and $439,212 for Florida Visually Impaired and Blind Services. The total across these items approaches $3 million.

Executive staff said the contracts “support the students with disabilities in their ability to participate in the general education curriculum, meet their annual educational goals, and take part in extracurricular and nonacademic activities.” Board members thanked staff for laying out these typical but substantial recurring expenses and emphasized the district’s legal and ethical obligation to provide required services.

All items were approved on unanimous votes. Board member Thrower noted the high tag and urged the public to understand these are fiduciary responsibilities tied to student needs. The board directed staff to proceed with contractor engagements and to continue reporting such expenditures to the board.