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Rockdale County to seek up to 15 speech-language pathologists through multiple contractors; contracts to go on consent agenda
Summary
The board heard multiple proposed contracts to secure up to 15 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and one sign language interpreter, with combined potential costs in the multi‑million‑dollar range; the contracts were placed on the consent agenda for the next regular meeting.
Rockdale County Public Schools presented several superintendent-recommended contracts to secure speech-language pathology services for the 2025–26 school year, including both independent contractors and staffing firms.
Dr. Smith Dixon, presenting on behalf of the Learning Support department, said the district faces a national shortage of speech-language pathologists and plans a staffing strategy that combines contracted staff and direct hires. She said the district aims for a total of 15 SLPs and one sign language interpreter and noted the goal is to convert to direct hires when possible.
Dr. Smith Dixon listed the items the superintendent will recommend next week: independent contractor Doretha Glenn, $114,000 (general funds); SpeakVision LLC, $106,400 (general funds); Metro Speech Works LLC, $106,400 (general funds); TW Bell Speech Therapy LLC, $109,440 (general funds); Emergis Healthcare Staffing, $1,816,400 (general funds) to provide up to 15 SLPs and one sign-language interpreter; and Stepping Stones Group, $1,761,491 (general funds) to provide professional services as needed.
She said the district plans to serve roughly 1,346 students needing speech services and that an average SLP caseload is about 50 students. Dr. Smith Dixon told the board the district will not exceed 15 SLPs combined across contractors and direct hires.
Board members expressed support and asked clarifying questions. A board member encouraged students to consider speech pathology as a career; another asked whether the district has had sign-language interpreters before and was told the district expects to hire two (one direct hire and one contracted).
As a procedural outcome, the board voted during the work session to place action items 1 and 3–10 on the consent agenda for the next regular meeting; the speech services contracts were among the items the cabinet asked the board to consider on the consent agenda. No final contract approvals were taken at the work session.
