Rockdale schools seek $528,770 amendment to Stepping Stones contract for special‑education providers

Rockdale County Public Schools presented an action item asking the board to approve an amendment to the district’s contract with the Stepping Stones Group that would add professional special‑education providers and carry a maximum additional cost of $528,770.

The amendment request, presented by Dr. Zalpine Smith Dixon, a cabinet member and presenter on special education services, would expand the Stepping Stones Group agreement so the district could purchase services for additional speech‑language pathologists (SLPs) and other related service providers. The superintendent reported the board previously approved a Stepping Stones contract for $1,771,490 in May 2025; if the amendment is accepted and the additional providers are supplied and accepted by the district, the combined contract value would be $2,290,260.

The district described a national shortage of speech‑language pathologists as a driver of the request and outlined current needs. The presentation said 1,141 Rockdale students are identified as receiving speech services; the district described plans using two major vendors, several independent contractors and direct hires. The written action item presented to the board requests authority to purchase additional service providers “up to 17 SLPs, 2 sign language interpreters, 1 nurse, and 1 physical therapist,” with the additional funds to come from federal IDEA Part B (Section 611) funds.

No formal vote on the amendment was taken during the meeting. Later in the session the board voted 6–0 to place the meeting’s action items on a consent agenda for the next regular session; as a result, the Stepping Stones amendment was presented to be considered on that upcoming consent agenda rather than being decided at this meeting.

If approved on the consent agenda, the district will use federal IDEA funds to pay the additional $528,770. The district emphasized that the amendment would allow it to respond quickly to Individualized Education Program (IEP) service needs caused in part by recruitment and retention challenges for SLPs.

The presentation included background on staffing changes: one direct hire of an SLP was reported as successful, while other vendors previously anticipated to provide services were unable to move forward. The district said it will continue a mix of vendors, contractors and hires to fill identified needs in the FY26 plan.

The superintendent and staff did not request immediate board action at this meeting; instead, the item was placed on the consent agenda for a subsequent meeting where the board will formally vote.