Board approves $288,700 in independent contracts for interpreters and speech services

The Marion County School Board approved four independent-contractor agreements July 22 to provide interpreter and speech-language therapy services for students with exceptional education needs. The contracts passed by voice vote, 5-0.

Mrs. Williams Jones, director of ESE, told the board the four agreements cover: interpreter services with Cardinal Language Services LLC, Hernandez Interpreting LLC, and New Day Language Services LLC, and a speech-language therapy contract with InvoHealthcare Associates. “The total cost of these 4 contracts is $288,699.75,” she said.

Board members asked no substantive questions. The board approved each agreement individually by motion and voice vote; the motions were seconded and recorded as passing without opposition.

Staff said the contracts will allow the district to provide required language access and speech services to students with individualized education program (IEP) needs. Implementation and scheduling will be handled by the district’s ESE office, which will track provider performance under the contracts.