Bucks County IU Therapists Remaining At Bensalem Schools

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —After a presentation and hours of public comment, the Bensalem Township School Board has decided to retain the special education therapists.

The school board heard a presentation at a recent meeting from Pediatric Therapeutic Services, LLC (“PTS”), which would provide physical and occupational therapists for special education children at an hourly rate.

But the board opted to listen to residents who had expressed outrage that the district would get rid of the therapists for next year as a cost-saving measure.

"As I hinted at the meeting, none of this needed to happen —all those poor members so distraught," School Director Stephanie Ferrandez told Patch. "In the end, the result was good. The board couldn't support the proposal against that much community sentiment. That is why it's so important for the public to pay attention."

Pediatric Therapeutic Services, LLC (“PTS”) is engaged in the business of providing a range of pediatric therapy services to its own patients and to various other entities under contract with PTS.

PTS fills these service needs by locating and providing Independent Contractors (not employees), the company said in a presentation to the school board.

If the District/Program is dissatisfied with the professional services of the independent contractor provided by PTS, upon receipt of written notice, PTS will provide a replacement contractor satisfactory to the District/Program.

PTS would have charged $85 an hour for an occupational therapist, $60 an hour for a certified occupational therapy assistant, $90 for a physical therapist, and $82.50 for a speech therapist.