The New Hyde Park-Garden City Park Board of Education is currently accepting proposals on local special education assistance and transportation contracts for summer school.
“If we need a speech teacher to come in for a child once a week, those companies that provide that service put in a bid,” Superintendent Robert Katulak said. “Then we go through them to see which will deliver the service at the best price.”
Because many special education students attend class 11 months out of the year, the contracts for the 2014-15 school year must be approved by July 1. That date marks the changing over of the school years, and when the new budget goes into effect.
In the case of special education, students attend a summer session for a minimum of four weeks. Services must be approved in advance and then may be brought in as needed, officials said. For the board, the goal is making sure to have every base covered so that any and all types of students can be accommodated.
“We’re basically ready for any child that comes in,” says Vice President Patricia Rudd. “This can mean anything from a classroom aide to a student that requires a feeding tube.”
Children with special needs may also require a one-on-one matron when riding the school bus. The board is taking these further special education needs into consideration while drawing up transportation contracts for the coming school year by seeking companies that can provide the services.
