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Orange Board approves psychiatrist hire and provider contracts to speed special-education evaluations
Summary
The board approved hiring a psychiatrist and authorized assistive-technology evaluations to reduce a backlog of Special Education assessments and meet urgent student needs, while also noting appointment of a new Transitional Coordinator and community partnerships.
The Orange Board of Education on Feb. 12 approved a series of actions intended to speed Special Education evaluations and match students with needed services.
Board members voted to authorize the district to contract with Dr. Esther Friedman to perform psychiatric evaluations for students, and approved Access Communication and Therapy to complete assistive-technology assessments, actions administrators said were necessary because students are waiting for evaluations. "We are seeking authorization for providers to assess special education students" and cited "two students who are in immediate need of evaluations," Board Attorney Substitute Ms. Jessica Kleen said.
The board also approved an agreement related to an employee matter discussed in executive session (employee #0298). The motions to approve these measures were moved and seconded by board members and passed by roll call; the hiring of Dr. Friedman passed with a 7-0 roll call, while the executive-session agreement recorded a roll call outcome of 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain and 2 absent. The motion to authorize Access Communication and Therapy passed by roll call 7-0.
Separately, the Special Education Committee report described the recent appointment of a Transitional Coordinator, Mr. Littlefinger, who will assist students transitioning to high school, and detailed active partnerships with vocational and developmental services, Goodwill Access Link, New Jersey One-Stop Career Centers, Small Business Administrators and SCORE Mentoring Centers.
Board members and administrators said the personnel and provider approvals are intended to reduce evaluation backlogs that hinder students’ access to individualized education plans and assistive devices. The board record shows the administration emphasized the urgency of prompt approvals and the need to follow posting and procurement rules before public meetings.
Next steps: the district will proceed with the contracts and provider agreements; the board did not add further conditions to the approvals at the Feb. 12 meeting.
