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Committee pursues contract option for certified sign-language interpreter to meet student IEP
Summary
After IU 10 lost the interpreter used by the district, staff told the personnel committee they are negotiating a private contract with a certified educational sign-language interpreter to meet a student's IEP and will place the item on the full-board agenda with cost details.
The committee discussed a recently disrupted contract for a certified sign-language interpreter and next steps to ensure the district meets an individual education program (IEP) requirement.
Justin (staff member) said the previously board-approved contract with IU 10 ended when the interpreter left the intermediate unit. He told the committee staff are negotiating directly with a certified educational interpreter to contract privately — possibly through an LLC — to keep the service within the budgeted amount. "This is a certified... educational interpreter, actually. And so that's few and far between to have that certification," Justin said.
Elizabeth emphasized the interpreter is critical to fulfilling the student's IEP: "This child is hard of hearing... this child will never learn anything unless there's someone in the room that has sign language to interpret the teacher to the student," she said. Committee members agreed to place a placeholder on the full-board agenda so staff can attach contract details and cost estimates; John asked that any proposal include estimated costs before board action.
Staff noted that the interpreter's service follows the student and that, when the student moves schools or grades, the contract ends. The committee authorized staff to continue negotiations, prepare cost details and bring a proposal to the full board for approval.
