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Board approves new full-time speech-language pathologist assistant position, cites special-ed and MA funding
Summary
The board created a full-time speech-language pathologist assistant role, approved the job description and said special‑education funds and anticipated MA (Medicaid) reimbursements would largely cover the position.
Melrose Public School District trustees voted to create a full-time speech-language pathologist assistant (SLPA) position and approved the job description after hearing district administration describe staffing shortages for speech-language providers.
Administrators said the SLPA would be a standalone, non-teacher contract requiring a two-year degree and intended to free speech-language teachers from paperwork so they can spend more time with students. Officials said they would use special-education funding and expected Medicaid (MA) reimbursement to cover most — though not necessarily all — of the cost, and they do not plan to place the new role under the teachers’ contract.
Board members asked whether hiring would occur now with a fall start date for the position; administration said it could hire in the coming weeks but the position would not start until next fall. The board approved both the position and its written job description.
The motion carried with no further changes recorded in the transcript.
