Board approves one-year contract with Best Life Therapy for speech and language services for 2526 school year

The Garrett County Public Schools Board of Education voted to contract Best Life Therapy of Bridgeport, West Virginia, to supply speech and language pathology services for the 2526 school year after the district received 14 proposals in an open request for proposals.

District staff said shortages of speech and language pathologists have affected the county and the RFP aimed to secure services for the coming year.

Procurement process and recommendation. The RFP was posted June 2 and published in the local paper June 5 under the district's procedure; staff reported receiving 14 proposals. The district used an evaluation rubric to score submissions and recommended Best Life Therapy for a 12-month contract. "My recommendation is to approve the recommended vendor, Best Life Therapy, to provide speech and language services for the 2526 school year," the superintendent said.

Board action. A motion to accept the superintendent's recommendation was moved by Sadie Liller and seconded by Rodney; the board approved the contract by voice vote.

Context and next steps. Staff said the contract is a one-year agreement to ensure coverage while the district continues hiring efforts to reduce shortages. The motion approved vendor selection; contract details such as cost, staffing levels and deliverables were not specified in the meeting record and will be finalized in contract documents.