Given that there is a nation-wide critical shortage of school-based Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) and that this circumstance has a significant impact on the Cobb County School District (District) budget and availability of services for eligible students, the Cobb County of Education (Board) sets forth the following guidelines. These guidelines are set forth to provide SLPs with working conditions similar to those experienced by SLPs in the other settings. They are also set forth to recognize the significant work load, with regards to compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), experienced by SLPs who serve more than 50 students per week. Furthermore, they are set forth to make the school-based SLPs’ work load equivalent to that experienced by SLPs who provide contracted services to the District.

RULE:

District and school administrators shall observe the following District guidelines for SLP’s:

1. SLPs shall not be required or asked to have additional non-instructional and non-IDEA

    related duties such as, but not limited to, bus duty, hall or lunchroom monitoring, bulletin

    board, club sponsorship, etc.

2. SLPs shall have a 30 minute duty-free lunch. Travel time between schools shall not be

    considered duty-free.

3. SLPs shall not be required or asked to attend after school or weekend activities that are

    not related to IDEA compliance.

4. SLPs shall not be required or asked to attend staff meetings or staff development

    meetings that do not relate to IDEA compliance or to their role with regards to the School

    Improvement Plan.

5. SLPs shall be interviewed and recommended to the principal for hiring only by the

    SLP Supervisor. Other individuals with special education certification and a leadership

    certificate may assist with this process if the SLP Supervisor is not available to complete

    the process. This re-assignment of duties shall be at the discretion of the Assistant

    Superintendent, Special Student Services, and/or Director, Special Student Services.

6. Principals may complete the evaluation process for SLPs but must consult with the

    SLP Supervisor before placing an “inadequate” on the evaluation of the school SLP.

7. The SLP supervisor, along with the area special education coordinator and area lead SLP

    shall be responsible for all SLP school or task  assignments.

8. SLPs shall be assigned a workspace that takes into consideration the following needs:

    a. Low background noise level;

    b. Accessible by all students;

    c. Quick transition between therapy groups;

    d. Large enough for a group of 5 students, including students with mobility assistance

        devices (i.e., walkers, wheelchairs, etc.).

Approved: 5/14/08