The Walworth County Human Resources Committee on May 20 approved a resolution to reclassify a vacant teacher position at Lakeland School into a speech-language therapist position.

County staff said the change responds to greater student need for speech-language services at Lakeland and is budget neutral because the two positions fall within the same pay range. Donna, the staff member who presented the packet materials, said a memorandum from Director Matt Hittle explained the staffing alignment and need.

Director Matt Hittle told the committee that "there is a greater need for the speech language therapist than that vacant teacher," and that the reclassification is being advanced now because of that imbalance. The resolution and supporting memorandum appeared on pages 3–6 of the committee packet.

Committee members were told the reclassification is budget neutral at present because the positions share a pay range; however, once a speech-language therapist is hired, funds would have to be shifted and the finance committee would review that transfer at that time. The packet notes the county will address the fund reallocation with finance when the hire occurs.

Committee members moved and the resolution was approved by voice vote.

The committee did not adopt additional hiring guidance at the meeting; any specific recruitment or funding changes will be handled in follow-up paperwork and by the finance committee when the department requests the shift of funds.