The Dickson County School Board approved a short‑term contract to provide speech‑language pathology services while a district SLP is on extended leave. District officials told the board the position is hard to fill and contracting is necessary to ensure students receive services required under IDEA.

Doctor Johnson presented the contract, saying the leave is expected to last about nine weeks and that the district has sought candidates from retired SLPs and recent applicants without success. "There are just at this time fewer candidates also coming out of colleges and universities," she said, describing the national and local shortage. She estimated the contract cost at roughly $20,000 for the period.

Budget and timing concerns: Board members noted the district’s amended budget does not anticipate the additional cost and asked how the expense will be covered. Miss Underhill (finance staff) said the expense is not currently included in the amended budget and that the district will likely submit another amendment or identify savings in other line items; Dr. Johnson said she would first look for reductions within department budgets before drawing on fund balance.

Board action: A motion to approve the contract was moved by Miss Till and seconded by Mister Cadwick; the motion carried.

Supporting details: Dr. Johnson said the district currently has 17 SLPs across the system, with two part‑time staff working full time to cover caseloads. She said one candidate has accepted an intent to hire and would start in February, but that the district cannot leave students without required services in the interim. Mr. Hall (district counsel) told the board the district had negotiated the contract form and the process used to add providers through that agreement.

Next steps: Staff will implement the short‑term contract and later seek a budget amendment or internal reallocations to cover the cost as needed. Board members asked staff to monitor the district’s vacancies and revisit the budget if additional contracted services are required.