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Board approves $104,000 amendment to contract for one‑to‑one sign language interpreters
Summary
Wayne County Board of Education voted to amend its contract with Interpreters Network to cover increased costs for one‑to‑one sign language interpreting for five deaf and hard‑of‑hearing students; the district expects partial reimbursement from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
The Wayne County Board of Education voted May 5 to amend its contract with Interpreters Network, adding $104,000 to the current purchase order to cover sign‑language interpreting services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Board members heard that the district now serves five students who require one‑to‑one sign language interpreters and that Wayne County Public Schools employs only three educational interpreters, so the district relies on the vendor to provide daily, in‑school interpreting coverage. The board was told the current contract was capped at $290,000 and projected invoices would push the total to about $394,000 for the 2024–25 school year.
Why it matters: Exceptional‑children services staff said one‑to‑one interpreting is legally required for students who receive that support, and the amendment was presented to ensure invoices are paid through the end of the school year and students continue to receive services without interruption. The district also reported it has applied for special‑circumstances reserve funding from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and expects approximately $157,000 to offset the cost.
Discussion and questions focused on timing and funding. Board members asked whether the anticipated state reimbursement had already been received and whether the district would still be required to approve the amendment even if the reimbursement were delayed. Staff answered that the reimbursement process is separate and that approval was needed to ensure vendor invoices are paid on time.
Formal action: The board took the item as a non‑committee item, then approved the amendment by voice vote after a motion by Mr. Latham and a second by Mr. Foch. Board members indicated the vote was unanimous.
Next steps and constraints: Staff said the district will pursue the Department of Public Instruction funding reimbursement already requested; whether and when those funds post to district accounts was described as pending. Legal review of the amendment had been completed before the motion was presented.
Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this article spoke at the May 5 board meeting; no additional claims beyond the meeting record are reported.
