Subcommittee recommends renewal of contract for school-based therapeutic services

The Springfield Public Schools legislative and contracts subcommittee voted unanimously to recommend renewal of a contract that funds school-based therapeutic services for students with Individualized Education Plans.

Superintendent Sonya Darnell presented the item, describing the proposal as an amendment to renew “a contract that has been in place for support for our exceptional learners.” She told the subcommittee the contractor provides therapeutic support to students with IEPs and said the services are a long-standing partnership. "They've been doing good work in our district," Darnell said, adding the provider helps "maintain [students] in the classroom and be able to access the curriculum." Attorney Tate Laurent was present and available for questions, Darnell said.

A committee member asked whether there were questions; no additional concerns were raised. A motion was made to recommend renewal of the contract to the full board as presented by Dr. Janelle, and another member seconded. Clerk Trenny called the roll on the motion: Ms. Hurst voted yes; Vice Chair Latonya Monroe Naylor, who had been recorded absent at the initial roll call, was later recognized and recorded as voting yes; Ms. Crawford voted yes. With a 3-0 vote, the subcommittee recommended the amendment to the full board.

The recommendation does not finalize district action; it sends the proposed contract amendment to the full board for final consideration. The subcommittee recorded no old or new business and adjourned after the vote.

Next steps: the full Springfield Public Schools board will consider the subcommittee's recommendation at a future meeting (date not specified in the transcript).