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Committee approves occupational-therapy staffing change; FTE wording clarified during meeting
Summary
The committee approved establishing an occupational-therapy position intended to reduce contracted services costs; the motion text referenced 1.8 FTE but a member and staff clarified the intent was a 0.80 FTE position before the vote.
The Longmeadow School Committee approved a staffing change July 28 to add an occupational-therapy position intended to replace some contracted services and reduce long-term costs.
Superintendent Dr. Roshe said existing needs, growing evaluations and rising contractor costs motivated the change and that the position would be budget-neutral by reducing contracted-services spending and covering the role from the general fund. The motion presented to the committee said "establishment of 1.8 full time occupational therapy position for the 2026–27 school year." During the motion discussion and vote sequence a member and staff clarified, "It should be 0.80," and committee members proceeded with a roll-call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
Staff explained contractor services currently provide specialized supports such as speech, OT and services for deaf students and that in-house staff can be a more cost-effective approach where feasible. The committee did not specify the exact number of students served or contractor-dollar amounts; staff described the change as budget-neutral based on replacing contracted lines with in-house salary costs.
