JCSB Holds Special Meeting on Speech Therapy Shortage

Kristy Halley

The Jackson County School Board held a special meeting Tuesday morning to address concerns about the lack of speech therapy services at Hope School. The issue was brought to the board’s attention by parent Jessica Holland, who spoke passionately about what she called a violation of her children’s educational rights.

Holland, who has two children in the district, told the board that students at Hope School have gone without speech therapy for nearly two months, even though those services are listed in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). “It has come to light that students at Hope School have not received speech therapy services for approximately two months,” she said. “By failing to provide these services and failing to notify parents, the district has denied students their right to a free appropriate public education.”

Jessica Holland

She also criticized the timing of the meeting, which began at 7:30 a.m. “This decision feels intentional as it prevents many working parents from being able to attend and voice their concerns,” she said. Holland called for a written explanation for the missed services, compensatory sessions for the children, and a commitment to more accessible meeting times and public livestreams. “If you don’t advocate for your child, who will?” she asked.

Board Chairman Chris Johnson thanked Holland for speaking and noted that early morning meetings are common for special sessions. “We generally hold any special meeting at seven o’clock in the morning,” he said. “Due to the emergency nature of this, we decided 7:30.”

Kristy Halley, the district’s Director of Exceptional Student Education (ESE), responded to Holland’s concerns, explaining that Hope School’s speech therapist had resigned on August 29. “It’s been a month that we have been looking for someone,” Halley said. “We had advertisements out on the district website and sought contracts, but the only person who applied didn’t show up for her interview.”

Halley said the district has now secured a new speech therapist under contract who will be traveling from Alabama to help meet the need. “She has her own practice there and has agreed to come through this contract,” Halley said. “Through providing the compensatory services and working with these children, we feel like this will meet those needs.”

Halley added that Hope School serves about 65 students who receive speech therapy and that the district currently has around 10 speech-language pathologists serving more than 600 children across Jackson County. “Our caseloads at other schools run anywhere from 55 to 65 students,” she said. “They do the therapy, but also the paperwork, the IEPs, they have a lot on their plate.”

Board member Chephus Granberry asked whether one contracted therapist could handle all 65 students at Hope School. “So 65 children for 25 hours, I’m concerned that’s even going to meet our needs,” he said. Halley responded that the district is rearranging schedules to bring in another therapist part-time to assist. Superintendent Hunter Nolen added that the district is exploring ways to make salaries more competitive and reduce reliance on virtual services. “I tasked Kristy with trying to eliminate virtual options for speech,” Nolen said. “I would prefer in-house, in-person.”

Board attorney Matt Fuqua noted that other nearby school districts are facing the same shortage. “Calhoun, Washington, Holmes, Jackson, they all have the same problems,” he said. “If [the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium] could put together a package to provide it for all of you, it might help.”

Nolen agreed the shortage extends beyond therapists. “Yesterday we were short at MK8 serving lunch,” he said. “Myself and one or two directors went out there to help serve lunch.” He thanked Holland for raising her concerns and said he plans to begin recording or livestreaming future meetings so parents who can’t attend in person can still stay informed.

After discussion, the board voted unanimously to approve the contract for the new speech therapist. Granberry made the motion, and board member Rex Torbett seconded it.

Before the meeting ended, Nolen shared some good news about Hope School’s students. “I got to watch the Hope Falcons win two flag football games,” he said. “They qualified for state.” He also reminded everyone that ECC (Early Childhood Center) Heroes Day would be taking place later that morning to honor first responders.