Board approves expanded contract for speech services after staffing losses

The Danville CCSD 118 Board approved an expansion of its contract with Empowered Communications LLC to add speech-language services after the special-education department lost staff to a resignation and an unexpected leave.

Molly Barton, director of special education, said the department has been short-staffed: existing speech pathologists are carrying caseloads above the 60-student cap and the district has a backlog for preschool evaluations. To cover immediate needs without creating a separate contract, Barton recommended increasing contracted service hours from 10 to 20 per week at the existing bill rate of $100 per hour. She estimated the cost for the remainder of the school year at about $15,000.

Barton said the district is legally bound to provide services specified in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) within 10 days of the IEP being written; if services can’t be provided immediately, compensatory services must be scheduled after school or during the summer.

A motion to approve the contract expansion was made and seconded; the board approved the recommendation by roll-call (motion carries 7-0).

"We would not approve of that," Barton said in response to concerns that contractors might spend excessive time on paperwork rather than direct student contact, adding that contracted staff will follow the same daily schedule as teachers, including duty-free lunch and planning periods.

The contract change will allow in-person coverage while the district continues active recruiting for SLP staff and explores SLP assistant options.