Duval board reviews up to $16 million augmentation to secure therapists, SLPs and other ESE services

The Duval County School Board at a May 2025 workshop discussed a proposed augmentation agreement, described by district staff as “a value up to $16,000,000,” to secure speech-language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, audiologists, school psychologists, behavior analysts and other licensed specialists needed to deliver services to students ages 3–22 under Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Board member Willie led questions about the size and structure of the contract and whether district hiring or collective-bargaining processes could be used instead. “A 1% raise to all of our employees costs this district, include your, approximately 15,000,000,” Willie said while arguing the board must weigh raises against contracted staffing. Doctor Bernier, speaking for district staff, said: “That is correct, sir… this is a value up to $16,000,000. Our expectation is not to spend the full amount of this contract, but to work with our human resources provision in order to attempt to find these…