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Board OKs short-term speech services contract amid staffing gaps
Summary
The Danville school board approved a contract with Empowered Communication for approximately 10 hours per week of speech services at Danville High School at $100 per hour, with an estimated cost of about $18,000 for the remainder of the school year.
The Danville Community Unit School District 118 board voted Dec. 17 to enter a short-term contract with Empowered Communication to provide speech services at Danville High School.
Molly Bailey, the district's director of special education, told the board that staffing shortages have left the district seeking contract providers. She recommended hiring Burgundy Nickison (contracted through Empowered Communication) to provide roughly 10 hours per week of in-person speech therapy in Danville with some virtual sessions as needed. The presenter said the provider's hourly rate is $100 and estimated the remainder-of-year cost at about $18,000. Board members clarified that the $100 is an hourly, non-benefits rate (contract employees handle their own taxes and benefits).
Trustees noted the district faces multiple vacancies in special-education roles (dozens of staff short across several specialist categories), and the presenter said legal limits require speech pathologists to each serve no more than 60 students, which drives the need for additional providers.
The contract motion passed on roll call 7-0.
What happens next: The district will execute the contract and schedule services at Danville High School while continuing recruitment for permanent positions.
