School District U-46 plans to spend nearly $13.3 million to hire three companies to provide special education services for students in Individualized Education Programs over the next three years.
About 60 positions will be filled through the 2026-27 academic year, taking the onus off the district to hire employees for the jobs, officials said.
“This is a three-year contract. Historically we have only done one-year … so we won’t see this again for three years,” board member Sue Kerr said.
Over the course of the contracts, 22nd Century Technologies Inc. will provide:
- 7 occupational therapists for $1,747,746;
- 10 speech therapists for $2,599,740;
- 8 bilingual speech therapists for $2,162,160;
- 3 social workers for $625,482;
- 3 bilingual school social workers fo $656,370;
- 2 special education teachers for $314,028;
- 1 certified school nurse for $234,234;
- 1 supervisor for deaf and hard of hearing for $42,919;
- 1 vision supervisor for $57,037.
LanceSoft will provide:
- 5 school psychologists for $1,322,046;
- 4 bilingual school psychologists for $1,121,788;
- 2 vision itinerants for $181,149;
- 7 registered behavior technician for $1,160,079;
- 2 board certified behavior analysts for $485,575.
Geneva Hearing Services will provide audiological services for $637,287, documents said.
U-46 has fallen behind enough in filling such roles, requiring the district to provide compensatory services for special education students, board Vice President Kate Thommes noted that.
Partnering with outside agencies will ensure these special education jobs, which typically are hard-to-fill positions, are filled, district officials said.
“Partnering with multiple firms allows the district to address staffing needs for specialized roles more effectively, ensuring comprehensive support for all students outlined in their Individualized Education Plans,” according to a document provided to the board.
“This strategy also reduces the risk of service shortages or interruptions, with services delivered according to the minutes specified in each student’s IEP.”
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
