ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The USD 480 school board again made quick work of its agenda at its most recent meeting Monday evening.
After approving Resolution M concerning the adoption of the district's organizational chart for the 2024-2025 school year, the board also approved an invoice from Linq in the amount of $20,633.75 for renewal of the cafeteria software.
The board then approved a bid from Rine Exterminating in the amount of $18,985 for pest control services for the 2024-25 school year before moving on to discussion of a contract for the new sign language interpreter.
“The term of this contract shall commence Aug. 6 and end May 15, 2025 unless earlier terminated as set forth,” the contract noted. “Robert Loredo shall provide services from 7:45 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. each school day USD 480 students are required to attend classes, or at such other times determined by USD 480’s director of special education. Mr. Loredo shall coordinate providing the services with that director, and said services shall be provided when and as requested by USD 480 or the director. Mr. Loredo shall be compensated for services rendered at a rate of $35 per hour for logged services with USD 480, and for his travel to the district, he shall be compensated for mileage expense at the rate of $0.67 per mile, from his current home in Satanta to the district. Mr. Loredo will submit bills for services and expenses to the director on or before the 10th day of the month following the month in which said services are provided and expenses incurred. Payment shall be made by the district in accordance with the district’s normal payment procedures.”
The contract then went into more detail about the services Loredo will provide.
“Loredo’s services will include the following: provide sign language interpreting services for students or individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in various educational settings, enhancing the learning experience with support in a variety of settings; facilitate communication between students and teachers, ensuring clear understanding of lessons, instructions, and discussions; translate spoken language into sign language and vice versa, maintaining accuracy and clarity in communication; assist in the preparation of educational materials, ensuring accessibility for students with hearing impairments and support students during lessons and the implementation of lesson plans provided by teachers; collaborate with teachers, administration, and other staff members to create inclusive learning environments and support individualized educational plans; provide support during meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and other school-related events as needed; maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and adhere to professional standards and code of ethics; attend in-service training (20 hours required anually); perform other duties as assigned by supervisory staff; provide the director of special education or any other person designated by him on a monthly basis such documentation as requested of all services rendered to students and the progress made by such students, maintain a daily log documenting the students seen, hours worked, and services provided, and provide same on a monthly basis to the director or other such person designated by the director; and allow the director or such persons designated by him to observe and attend sessions to verify compliance with this contract and applicable Kansas and federal laws, statutes and regulations.”
Loredo is also subject to USD 480 administrative hearings, the contract notes.
“In the event a due process or other administrative hearing is required under applicable state or federal law for any student for whom Mr. Loredo has been providing services under the terms of this agreement, he shall appear and participate in such hearing and any appeals thereof, if and when requested by USD 480, including any hearings or appeals which may occur after the date of termination or expiration of this agreement,” the contract noted. “Mr. Loredo shall be paid at the rate of $35 per hour for participation and appearance for any such hearings and for consultation with USD 480 counsel in preparation for such hearings. He shall be reimbursed any necessary travel expenses and bill USD 480 for services and expenses to be paid in the same manner as set forth above. Mr. Loredo is providing services as an independent contractor to USD 480, and nothing in this agreement is intended, nor shall be construed, to create an employer/employee relationship, a joint venture, partnership, master/servant, or principal/agent.”
Other portions of the contract concern confidentiality, termination and indemnification.
“Mr. Loredo does hereby represent he is a licensed sign language interpreter, licensed and registered with the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and shall maintain such license in full force and effect during the terms of this agreement,” the contract noted. “If USD 480 discovers Mr. Loredo’s license has been terminated, suspended or expired, then notwithstanding the provision set above, USD 480 may immediately terminate this agreement upon written notice to Mr. Loredo. In the event of such termination, USD 480 shall be responsible for payment of services rendered by Mr. Loredo prior to the date of termination, on a pro-rata basis of $35 per hour and payment of any travel expenses incurred prior to the date of termination.”
After some more brief discussion, the board ultimately approved the contract.
In other business, the board also voted to approve the purchase of 40 iPads from Apple in the amount of $14,320 for Bright Start Early Learning Center and voted to approve payment to Southern Office in the amount of $14,100 for the printing of enrollment packets for Liberal High School.
