School Committee approves renewal with School Based Services to continue special-education support

The Springfield School Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the first amendment and exercise the first renewal option for contract No. 20260018 with School Based Services Inc., securing outside special-education services for students with individualized education programs.

Superintendent Mr. Clark told the committee the renewal had already passed unanimously through subcommittee and said the district needs the contractor to augment in-district staff. "However, the need is so great, we had to contract out for some of these services," he said.

The motion to approve the amendment and exercise the renewal option was moved (mover not specified in the transcript) and seconded by Ms. Valentine. A roll-call vote recorded yes from Ms. Valentine, Ms. Crawford, Ms. Hurst, Mr. Gomez and Ms. Roaneler; Ms. Gresham and Mayor Sarno were recorded absent. The Chair announced that the measure passed.

Committee members and the Superintendent framed the vote as a procedural step to make sure students receive services at the start of the school year. No public comment or questions were recorded during the meeting, and no dollar amounts or funding sources for the contract amendment were stated in the transcript.

The committee adjourned after the vote. The approval takes effect ahead of the new school year so contracted services can continue without interruption; specific implementation dates and any budget details were not specified in the meeting record.