Central York approves contingency contract as district faces school psychologist staffing shortfall

The Central York School District board voted to approve an agreement with the Stepping Stones group to provide school psychologist services on a contracted basis if the district cannot recruit certified psychologists in time to meet evaluation and compliance obligations.

Assistant Superintendent (speaker 8) told the board the district currently operates with four school psychologist contracts but has experienced resignations that could reduce staffing to roughly 50% capacity by January if vacancies are not filled. "It's a critical position in our special education department," he said, noting the contract is a proactive contingency rather than the district's preferred option.

Board members asked whether the contractor's services would be in-person (they would) and whether the vendor could guarantee placements; presenters said the contractor conducts national-level staffing but cannot promise immediate local placements and the district will only pay if the contractor can place a qualified candidate. "We only pay if they actually have someone that can place here," one director clarified.

Human-resources/credentialing staff (speaker 17) explained the constraint: Pennsylvania requires a master's degree and state school psychologist certification, and the state does not offer an emergency certification pathway for certified school psychologists similar to substitute teacher emergency pathways. Internships and out-of-state options exist but are year-long and supervised. "They need to be Pennsylvania certified," the credentialing staff said, indicating reciprocity does not remove the PA certification requirement.

The board discussed recruitment strategies, including national advertising through the National Association of School Psychologists, and asked administration to continue searching for in-house hires while using the contract as a backstop. The motion to approve the agreement carried by voice vote.