Del Valle ISD seeks contract with ProCare Therapy to fill special-education vacancies

Del Valle ISD administrators presented an information item proposing a contract over $50,000 with ProCare Therapy to provide related services and fill hard‑to‑staff special‑education positions.

Dr. Katrina Bailey explained the district faces a regional shortage of special‑education personnel and that staffing gaps risk disruptions to required services. The recommendation is to approve a contract (exceeding $50,000) with ProCare Therapy to staff certain related‑services roles on-site; administrators said the district already has the FTE budgeted and that contracting will allow the district to deliver required services while recruitment for direct hires continues.

Executive Director Nicole Roberts said the district currently has about two positions slated to be filled via ProCare and that overall the district has about 15 special‑education teacher vacancies and several related‑service vacancies. Trustees asked whether contract costs would be offset by unfilled FTE allocations and whether contracted services would be provided on-site (the answer was yes). Trustee Sierra asked about cost differences between district hires and contractors; staff acknowledged contractors are generally more expensive but said the goal is to convert to district employees when possible.

The item was informational on Nov. 4 and will return for action at a future meeting; no contract was approved at this session.