In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ongoing challenges and improvements within the district's Speech Language Pathology (SLP) services, particularly in light of an audit that highlighted several areas needing attention. The district relies on third-party providers to supplement its SLP services, which are crucial for students with communication needs across various educational settings, including charter and private schools.

The audit revealed a significant shortage of SLPs nationwide, a situation that is particularly acute in school environments. To address the growing demand, the district has contracted with multiple vendors over the past few years, with five contracts in place from fiscal years 2021 to 2023 and three contracts established for fiscal year 2024. However, the audit pointed out several deficiencies in the management of these contracts, including insufficient monitoring controls, delayed payments to vendors, and inconsistencies between stored information and actual contracts.

Additionally, the report noted that some services were rendered outside the agreed terms of the contracts, raising concerns about compliance and accountability. The district has also utilized a contract with ESS for substitute coverage, which includes SLPs, to help meet service demands.

In response to these findings, officials acknowledged the need for improved oversight and administration of third-party contracts, as well as better support for SLPs in terms of caseload management and resource availability. A new Request for Proposal (RFP) was approved by the board in June 2024, aimed at enhancing the district's ability to provide necessary services moving forward.