SRO allows for provision of services by private provider

SRO 09-111: State Ed declared in a recent memo to school folks that school districts “do not have the authority to contract with independent contractors for instructional services which are the very core and function of a school district.” Some school districts are now refusing to contract with private reading instructors even when there are no school staff capable of providing the intensive reading services required by dyslexic kids. Hopefully, this recently published SRO decision will help to clarify school district obligations. In 09-111, Paul Kelly held that if the district is unable to provide the required reading services through a district provider, the district must use a private provider who may or may not be a certified teacher, but who is qualified to provide instruction in reading.