Board hears request for speech services contracts as district flags SLP budget shortfall
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Summary
The special education department asked the board to approve RFP #8648 (three vendors including Delta T Hartford Inc.) to provide speech and language pathology services for ages 3'22 at an estimated $400,000 over three years; staff and commissioners discussed acute SLP shortages, agency rates and a projected deficit in the SLP salary line item.
The Waterbury Board of Education reviewed a request from the Special Education Department to approve RFP #8648, a split award among three vendors including Delta T Hartford Inc., to provide speech and language services for children ages 3 through 22. The department said the contract term will run through 06/30/2029 and that the three-year value for the block presented is $400,000, paid from general funds.
A Special Education Department representative told the board the district needs additional clinicians to cover nine buildings currently not receiving services and to reduce caseload overages for existing staff. The department said agency partnerships are intended to provide immediate relief, with agencies ready to recruit as soon as contracts are executed.
Board members raised questions about agency rates and morale: several commissioners noted that third-party hourly rates can be high (examples in discussion referenced agency rates near $100 per hour), and they expressed concern about the effect on existing staff and on continuity of care when multiple temporary clinicians cover a single student's caseload. Staff replied that the district sets schedules with agencies and maintains liaisons to ensure coverage and accountability.
The board also reviewed the monthly expenditure report for December. Doreen Viola highlighted that the SLP line item (account 511,110) is projected to go into deficit because of caseload and MOA obligations; the district is projecting budget pressures that will be considered again during the upcoming budget season.
No formal vote on the RFP award was recorded during the workshop; staff emphasized the urgency of contracting to prevent additional compensatory services obligations and to meet students' Individualized Education Program (IEP) requirements.
