Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board OKs interviews for ABA service vendors, approves MOU approach
Summary
After reviewing 10 proposals, district staff recommended up to two ABA (applied behavior analysis) vendors under an MOU that limits district liability; the board authorized interviews of the top four proposals and approved a process to finalize MOUs with selected vendors.
District special‑services staff reported that an RFP for ABA services yielded 10 proposals. Staff (Miss Wilson, S12, and colleagues) scored vendors and presented a recommended short list of three firms plus one additional vendor requested by a parent. Staff recommended executing MOUs with up to two vendors and managing contracts as parent‑requested, outside services (not district‑provided IEP services unless added to an IEP).
Miss Wilson explained that ABA is an evidence‑based practice for some individuals on the autism spectrum but is not currently endorsed as a specific state‑mandated service; new state regulation for ABA may be published this summer. She said the district intends to require confidentiality and non‑disruption clauses in any MOU so in‑school therapy does not disrupt classroom instruction.
Board members asked whether vendors would participate in IEP meetings (staff said vendors would participate but would not write IEPs/504 plans unless formally assigned). The board discussed limits on in‑school hours and a termination clause for MOUs that violate confidentiality or disrupt school operations.
A motion to proceed with interviews of the top four vendors passed; staff will return with draft MOU language prepared by counsel and a proposed scope of services before final execution.
What happens next: the board authorized interviews of the top four vendors, directed staff to bring MOU drafts for legal review, and asked that any MOU include explicit limitations to prevent disruption of classroom instruction.
