The Final Report - Malcolm Shabazz City High School, Madison WI

Decision Item #20:INCREASE MAXIMUM CASELOADS FOR OCCUPATIONALTHERAPISTS OR ELIMINATE THE USE OF THERAPY ASSISTANTS(cont.)FTE: Option A: Reduction of 1.75 FTE Occupational TherapistsOption B: Reduction of 14.25 FTE Occupational TherapistAssistants, partially offset by an increase of 6.85Occupational TherapistsAnticipated Savings: Savings (including an offsetting reduction of 30 percent of categorical aids) areanticipated to be:Option A: $94,763Option B: $245,030Summary OT FTE OT $ TA FTE TA $ Total CostCostsAvoidedCategorical AidNetSavingsCurrent Allocation Method 22.06 $ 1,382,588 14.25 $ 813,204 $ 2,195,792 $ - $ - $ -Cap to 45 with TA 19.90 $ 1,247,213 14.25 $ 813,204 $ 2,060,417 $ 135,376 $ (40,613) $ 94,763No TA's, Cap at 30 29.45 $ 1,845,749 0.00 $ - $ 1,845,749 $ 350,043 $ (105,013) $ 245,030Student Impact:Strategic Priorities:Board Priorities:There would be no effect on Medicaid revenue, as the same number ofstudents would be served. Therapists are directly engaged in providingservices to students, as required in the child’s IEP. However, because theDistrict could implement either alternative and maintain the DPIrecommend maximum caseloads, there should be minimal negative impacton students for either alternative.NANAOther Considerations: While it is not cost beneficial to use therapist assistants, the market forassistants has historically been less tight than for therapists. Severalyears ago, physical and occupational therapists were difficult for schooldistricts to attract, and the use of therapist assistants allowed the Districtto ensure that services were not compromised as a result of the labormarket. While the current market for therapists is not tight, it isconceivable that the market could change.Implementing Option A would require a change to the collectivebargaining agreement. The CBA currently restricts therapists to amaximum caseload of 40 (with assistant) and a maximum of fourschools. These restrictions would need to be removed from the CBA forOption A to be feasible.Virchow, Krause & Co. LLP Page 103March 11, 2002