Facing a growing shortage of speech-language pathologists, Rockdale County Public Schools leaders are proposing millions of dollars in contracts with private providers and outside vendors to help maintain special education services for students across the district.
During a recent Board of Education meeting, district officials outlined plans to expand contracted speech and related services staffing as RCPS continues grappling with what administrators described as a national shortage of speech-language pathologists.
According to the district, about 1,346 RCPS students currently receive speech services, with an average caseload of roughly 50 students per therapist…