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Board reviews renewals and revised contracts for special‑education and therapy services
Summary
JPS presented renewals and revisions of contracts with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Stepping Stones Group and Smart Therapy LLC to provide clinical learning and therapy services for students with disabilities; district said about 2,200 scholars receive IEP services and roughly 700 receive speech language services.
Jackson Public Schools staff presented several contract renewals and a revised service agreement on Aug. 13 for services supporting scholars with disabilities.
The office of exceptional education asked the board to renew an affiliation agreement with the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Health‑Related Professions to continue clinical learning experiences for occupational and physical therapy students. The administration described the agreement as a way to enhance therapeutic resources for scholars with disabilities.
The district also presented a revised service agreement with Stepping Stones Group to deliver individualized therapy programs, specialized instruction and evaluations, including expanded intensive behavior supports in the preschool program. District staff said approximately 2,200 scholars receive IEP services, with about 700 receiving language and speech services; the revised contract would add a preschool teacher, a behavior technician and a paraprofessional trained in behavior management to be housed at Van Winkle Early Childhood Center.
Finally, the administration summarized a renewal with Smart Therapy LLC to provide motor therapy services (occupational and physical therapy) to support compliance with federal and state requirements for special‑education services.
Board members asked for clarifications about student counts and program scope; staff confirmed the 3‑ and 4‑year‑old preschool placements for IEP‑eligible children remain allowed under federal guidelines and said they would cross‑reference Montessori and exceptional education policies where needed.
