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Board approves higher‑cost ESU special‑education contract after discussion of service increases
Summary
The board approved a contract with ESU No. 2 for special‑education services for FY2627, approving an increase from about $139,454 this year to $186,357 next year driven by expanded occupational and added physical‑therapy services.
The North Bend Central board approved a special‑education services contract with Educational Service Unit No. 2 (ESU 2) for the 2626–27 year after administrators explained the proposed cost increase.
Superintendent Patrick told the board the district’s current ESU cost was about $139,454 for the year and the ESU proposed $186,357 for next year. The rise reflects expanded occupational‑therapy services (moving from roughly 0.24 FTE to 0.6 FTE to add a third day per week) and the addition of a 0.1 FTE physical‑therapy position that the ESU can provide in‑house instead of contracting separately.
Board members asked whether services could be scaled up or down if needed; administration said ESU scheduling could be adjusted if district needs change but also noted that hiring an in‑district specialist would carry salary and benefit implications that could exceed ESU fees. The board discussed federal and state reimbursement levels, with state special‑education reimbursement noted as reduced compared with historical levels.
A motion to approve the ESU contract passed on a unanimous roll‑call vote of members present.
Staff will monitor service levels and adjust in consultation with the ESU as student needs and schedules evolve.
