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Lubbock ISD reports RDSPD serves 114 students; interpreter costs strain local budget
Summary
Lubbock ISD, as fiscal agent for the Regional Day School Program for the Deaf, reported serving 114 students across 53 districts; staff highlighted costs (interpreter rates up to $145/hour), tuition ($10,500 per student) and state per-student supplements as key budget factors.
Kami Finger, speaking for Lubbock ISD administration, summarized the Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (RDSPD), saying the program supports "114 students across 53 member districts in 20 counties, including 67 students from Lubbock ISD." Finger described a full continuum of services required by federal special-education law and listed staff roles including nine certified teachers of the deaf, a speech-language pathologist, eight interpreters and contracted audiologists.
Finger said interpreter services can cost "as much as $145 per hour," which creates particular fiscal pressure for Lubbock ISD because the district serves a larger share of students in the program than many member districts. Funding currently includes tuition ($10,500 per student), an additional state payment staff described as $6,925 per student receiving direct services, and weighted special-education funding; because Lubbock ISD is fiscal agent, it receives funding for both its own students and those from member districts. Staff said efforts are underway to hire interpreters locally and strengthen partnerships with deaf and ASL communities to control costs.
