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Board approves itinerant therapy contracts; administration highlights increased telehealth use
Summary
The board approved hiring independent itinerant physical therapy, occupational therapy and psychology services for 2027 and heard administration say telemedicine and state approvals will reduce onsite travel while increasing monthly remote services.
The Valdez board approved recommendations to contract with independent itinerant providers for physical therapy, occupational therapy and psychology services for the 2027 school year.
Board members questioned travel and per-trip costs; one itinerant’s travel package was cited in the record as approximately $11,600. Superintendent Jason Weber explained that state approval for remote supervision and telehealth services (referred to as Telmed in the meeting) will allow some services to be provided remotely, reducing the need for frequent onsite travel while ensuring monthly service access for students.
Administrators said the change to more telehealth-based supervision will allow deeper monthly contact with students than the prior approach of limited onsite visits. The board approved the hires and instructed administration to finalize contracts and manage logistics for travel and telemedicine delivery.
