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West Central Ed report spotlights speech-pathology contract and $20,000 PAES Lab donation
Summary
Committee member Joel told the Melrose Public School District board that West Central Ed used a summer contract with Grow and Glow to cover a speech-language-pathologist vacancy, will rely on Masiko for deaf-and-hard-of-hearing services as needed, and reported a $20,000 donation from the Painesville Area Community Foundation for a PAES Lab.
Committee member Joel reported to the Melrose Public School District board on the West Central Education meeting held July 13, saying the region is using contracted services to cover vacancies until permanent hires are found. "Grow and Glow is a speech contract... and it sounds like that'll continue on through the school year," Joel said, describing a summer arrangement that may transition to an ongoing county-level employee when needed.
Joel also said the region struggled to find a deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) specialist and will use Masiko on an as-needed basis. He described an interim appointment in Albany (Rudemski) and noted minor handbook updates to keep pace with Minnesota Department of Education requirements. Joel emphasized the practical approach to mileage reimbursement for staff traveling to off-site program locations: "If it's shorter for a person maybe that lives in Alexandria to drive to Glenwood, then it would be for them to be reimbursed from their home to that site," he said, explaining a policy change intended to save time and costs.
On program supports, Joel highlighted a Painesville-area property used for the district's 18–21 PAES program and said the program's annual rate was adjusted to $6,000 to address fire-marshal and safety requirements. He also reported a $20,000 gift from the Painesville Area Community Foundation explicitly for the PAES program's PAES Lab purchase. The board did not take further action on the committee report during the meeting; items that require formal approval will return as needed.
