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TUSD specialists say unmanageable caseloads, poor onboarding and low pay are driving departures
Summary
More than a dozen speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists told the governing board during public comment that shortages, excessive caseloads and inadequate onboarding are reducing service quality for students with disabilities.
Dozens of Tucson Unified School District staff, parents and advocates urged the school board Jan. 20 to address long-standing shortages among speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs), saying unmanageable caseloads, inconsistent onboarding and noncompetitive pay are harming students.
Multiple staff members who identified themselves as district SLPs, OTs and PTs described workloads that they said exceed professional and federally recommended levels. Speakers said high caseloads, travel between many schools, heavy paperwork and frequent vacancies force therapists to prioritize compliance paperwork and group treatments over individualized, evidence-based services for students with complex needs.
“I had 104 students on my caseload,” said one occupational therapist during the public comment period, adding that she stopped providing services to one school to reduce travel and make caseloads more manageable. A speech-language pathologist told the board that a district survey found 78% of SLP respondents were at least somewhat likely to leave if conditions did not improve; another SLP said she carried 85 students and that paperwork alone took four days for one month’s billing and progress notes.
Several speakers also said onboarding for newly hired related-service providers is inadequate and inconsistent. One occupational therapist said she and two colleagues were hired together and received little district-led training on systems, procedures and documentation; she said she spent personal time learning essential workflows rather than planning for students.
Speakers repeatedly urged the board to adopt caseload caps, competitive pay and improved onboarding and contract language for therapists. They argued that related-service providers deliver billable Medicaid services and that retaining experienced practitioners is critical both for student outcomes and for district Medicaid revenue.
Board members acknowledged the testimony. Governing board member Ravi Shah, who identified himself as a family physician, thanked staff for their service and said he would work with district leadership and the finance team to better understand caseload benchmarks and funding implications. Several board members said they would follow up with administration and requested the district examine staffing, recruitment and potential use of Medicaid reimbursements for supporting retention.
No formal board action on staffing occurred during the meeting; the concerns were raised during the public comment (call to the audience) and board members asked staff to report back.
