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Board approves therapy contracts to fill rural special-education gaps
Summary
EPIC approved FY27 renewals with Speech Pathway and a contractor listed as Ergonomic Consultants LLC (dba Total Rehab) to provide speech, occupational and physical therapy for IDEA-mandated services; presenters said contractors are needed because clinician shortages persist in rural areas.
The board approved FY27 renewal contracts to secure speech, occupational and physical therapy services that EPIC must provide under IDEA. The presenter said the district serves more than 3,000 students needing such services and that rural areas lack clinicians, making contractors necessary to fill gaps.
The presenter listed hard-to-staff areas including Durant, McAlester, Grove, Altus and Enid and said the district prefers to hire wherever possible but must contract where clinician availability is insufficient. The board moved and approved the contracts for Speech Pathway and Ergonomic Consultants LLC (dba Total Rehab) to ensure continuity of services for students.
Board members signaled support for the contracts as operationally necessary to meet students' education plans.
