PSJA approves contract for speech services as district cites staffing shortages and SHARS billing uncertainty
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Summary
Trustees approved a contract with Salubrious Therapeutics Associates to provide speech-language services for campuses lacking full-time SLPs; presenters said roughly 132 students require services, estimated the contract at about $101,540 (partially offset by SHARS billing), and discussed statewide SHARS audit appeals that reduced recent reimbursements.
The PHARR-SAN JUAN-ALAMO ISD board on Nov. 17 approved contracting with Salubrious Therapeutics Associates LLC to provide speech-language pathology services at campuses currently lacking full-time speech pathologists.
The curriculum and special-education presenter told trustees the district currently serves about 1,680 students who receive speech services in some form and that roughly 132 students at three named campuses (Ford Elementary; Building Blocks Academy at Sotomayor; PSJA Memorial Early College High School) require additional speech services the district cannot meet with current staff. The presenter said Salubrious would provide direct services, consultative supports, IEP development, progress reporting and Medicaid/SHARS billing support. The estimated cost presented was about $101,540, with part of that offset by SHARS reimbursements.
Trustees pressed staff on how reliably SHARS reimbursements arrive; presenters said SHARS appeals and federal audit interpretations going back to 2011 have disrupted some reimbursements and that districts are pursuing appeals and coordinated legal strategies. Finance staff said the district has pursued appeals and is awaiting some determinations.
Trustee Castillo moved to approve the contract; the motion passed. Trustees asked staff to continue recruiting for permanent SLPs, to report quarterly on service coverage, and to update the board on the status of SHARS appeals and any fiscal impact if reimbursements are not restored.
The board emphasized it expects services to be provided in compliance with students' IEPs and asked that contracted work include documentation for parents and for ARD meetings.