Lancaster ISD approves contracts with DFW Speech Solutions and Stepping Stones Group; each expected to exceed $100,000
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Summary
Trustees approved special education contract services with DFW Speech Solutions and Stepping Stones Group; staff estimated each vendor's total payments will exceed $100,000 for the 2024'25 year.
The Lancaster Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved contracts for special education services with DFW Speech Solutions and Stepping Stones Group during the March 27 meeting, with district staff telling trustees both vendors' payments will exceed $100,000 by the end of the 2024'25 school year.
Crystal Cromer, the district presenter for special education contract services, told the board the vendors provide speech and language pathology services, bilingual and monolingual speech evaluations and therapy, and school psychology services including psychological and autism evaluations and Individualized Education Program (IEP) support. Cromer identified both firms as approved vendors that the district has used during the current school year.
When asked for cost estimates, Cromer said DFW Speech Solutions was already at about $108,000 and could reach approximately $115,000 by year end; Stepping Stones Group was estimated to reach roughly $105,000'$110,000 by year end.
Trustees asked how the district monitors services and parent communication. Cromer described the district's monitoring systems: evaluation and service reports are tracked in eSped and Frontline; speech therapy sessions and billing data are monitored through the district's SHARS and Spectra systems; staff said they meet weekly with contract evaluators and review reports monthly. Trustees also asked whether contractors communicate with parents; Cromer said follow-up and parent communication occur and are monitored but noted some aspects of special education information are confidential.
Trustee Smith moved to approve the contracts, a motion the board seconded; board secretary reported the motion carried unanimously after votes were collected.
No specific contract start/end dates or total not-to-exceed contract values were included in the presentation; staff characterized the action as approval of services that will cause vendor payments to exceed $100,000 during the 2024'25 fiscal year.
