On August 15, 2012, the contract for Professional and Technical Services was approved for Kristen Schipani (KC Therapy Inc.) PO # 261196-OH for the amount of $24,995.00 for the period from August 15, 2012 to December 21, 2012.   This is a contract for professional services to meet student’s Individual Educational Plan needs.  Total amount needed to continue for the remainder of the school year from January 7, 2013 to June 30, 2013 is $31,550.00.  Agencies provide qualified licensed speech and language pathologists when qualified direct hires are not available.  Speech and Language Pathology Services are required by both federal and state special education laws and regulations, for students identified, or in the process of being identified as special education students who require speech and language therapy services.  There is an ongoing national and Florida shortage of qualified speech and language pathologists.

Providing Speech Language Therapy Services to our students with disabilities will help them meet their Individual Educational Plan goals and overcome barriers.  This is consistent with our strategic objective of goal setting.

The Superintendent recommends approval to increase the amount of the contract for professional services with Kristen Schipani, KC Therapy Inc., for speech and language pathology services, and the School Board of Manatee County for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year.

Motion and approval to increase the amount of the contract for professional services with Kristen Schipani, KC Therapy Inc., for speech and language pathology services, and the School Board of Manatee County for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year.

Total payment for the vendor for fiscal year 2012-2013 will not exceed the increased total amount of $56,545.00.

These services are funded by General Fund staff allocation units and supplemented with IDEA, (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Part B funds.   Schools transfer teacher units, in the amount of the average teacher salary, $60,679.00 for this Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) to the Exceptional Student Education Department contracted services budget.  The cost of this contracted Speech-language pathologist to the district will be $31,550.00 for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year.

The cost to implement this agenda item is $31,550.00.  This expenditure will be funded from General Fund, supplemented by IDEA Part B funds and is included in the Exceptional Student Education Department approvedbudget for the fiscal year 2012-2013. 

Exceptional Student Education Department

Jeffrey Schneiderman/rc

12/10/12