Board authorizes administration to offer staff contract to reclassify occupational therapy contractor

A staff member told the Madison School Board that audits in other districts and a state determination indicate the district’s long-standing OT contractor’s working relationship is “more consistent with an employer employee relationship than an independent contractor relationship.” The staff member said reclassifying the role to a 0.8 FTE staff position would cost about $75,000 after benefits compared with roughly $150,000 to hire a full external contractor.

Board members questioned whether the collective bargaining recognition clause specifically names OTs and whether supervision and IDEA funds can be used to meet certification/supervision requirements. After discussion the board voted to authorize the administration to move forward and offer staff contracts to convert the OT role to district employment; the motion was moved by Deb and seconded (recorded in the meeting). Members also discussed Plan B if the current contractor declines — sharing an OT with neighboring districts or contracting out, both of which board members said could be more costly or less desirable.