Barrow County seeks up to $2.74M in contracts to cover special-education staffing shortfalls

Barrow County School System staff asked the board May 27 to authorize contracts with multiple vendors to provide special-education evaluations and services for FY2026, citing persistent staffing shortages that have left key positions unfilled.

Amy Wadley, presenting for special education, said the district had unfilled openings as of May 20 that included 13 special-education teacher positions, 1.5 speech-language pathologist (SLP) positions, one school psychologist and about 10 paraprofessionals. Wadley told the board the applicant pool is limited and the district wants vendor contracts available if internal hires are not secured before the school year starts.

The superintendent’s recommendation is to contract with Celiant Health LLC, The Stepping Stones Group, CARES Rehabilitation, Bridals Schools, Emeritus Staffing and Expressive Pediatric Therapy to provide evaluations and services for up to $2,740,840. Wadley provided maximum-rate examples included in the packet: 1.5 SLPs at a maximum of $90 per hour (cost example $205,200) and one school psychologist at up to $105 per hour (cost example $159,600). Wadley also requested permission to hold a 1-to-1 nurse on reserve should a student with that need enroll; nursing services would be funded through Medicaid reimbursement if used, and registered behavior technicians would be funded through the IDEA grant as noted in the presentation.

Wadley said the district used 14 contracted positions this past year: one nurse (kept in reserve and not needed), three SLPs, five contracted teachers, one registered behavior technician and four paraprofessionals. The packet included a maximum-cost estimate across all contracts of $2,740,840; the recommendation asks board authorization to enter contracts up to that aggregate amount.

Why it matters: the district cited rapid growth and a small applicant pool as drivers of the request. Staff framed the contracts as contingency authority to ensure services required by students with disabilities will be available at the start of the year if candidate searches do not fill vacancies.

What’s next: the superintendent recommended contract authority; the board will act on the item at the consent or action portion of upcoming agenda as presented.