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How eLuma is Supporting Wausau School District
Case Study
Discover how Wausau School District in Wisconsin turned to eLuma’s virtual therapy services to quickly fill a critical speech-language pathology vacancy, ease staff workloads, and maintain compliance for nearly 8,000 students across 20 schools. This case study shows how the district ensured continuity of care and peace of mind for families and staff.
About Wausau School District
Wausau School District serves approximately 7,899 students across 20 schools in central Wisconsin. The district reflects a diverse student population — nearly 20% identify as Asian/Pacific Islander, 7% as Hispanic/Latino, and 2% as Black, with over 32% qualifying for free or reduced-price meals.
As a small city district with a median household income of around $63,000, Wausau balances resource challenges with a commitment to providing equitable access to high-quality special education services.
Table of Contents
Addressing Staffing Challenges in Speech Therapy
When a long-time speech-language pathologist resigned unexpectedly, Wausau was left with a .6 FTE vacancy. The loss created an immediate risk of missed IEP services, strained evaluation capacity, and compliance concerns. Staff members were already stretched thin, and without a quick solution, students were at risk of losing critical support.
By turning to eLuma, Wausau avoided these disruptions. The district quickly secured virtual therapy support that ensured continuity of care and allowed staff to maintain balance in their workloads. For families, it meant uninterrupted services and peace of mind.
“From a legal compliance standpoint, eLuma’s been great to work with in terms of helping us just pinch hit in those situations.” — Aimee Burazin, Assistant Director of Special Education
Breaking Barriers to Virtual Care
Some districts hesitate to adopt virtual therapy, concerned about whether students, staff, or families will embrace it. Wausau’s experience shows those barriers can be overcome quickly. From the very start, therapy sessions integrated seamlessly into student schedules and school routines.
Principals, associate principals, and parents shared positive feedback, noting how effective communication and proactive collaboration made the model feel natural.
“It genuinely feels like [our eLuma Speech Therapist] is part of our team, which is super cool. I don’t know that I would have anticipated that with a virtual provider.”
This smooth adoption reinforced that virtual therapy can be more than a backup plan—it can be a reliable, trusted extension of the district’s tea
A Trusted Partner When It Matters Most
Wausau’s history with eLuma meant leaders knew exactly where to turn when the vacancy arose. The renewal process was straightforward, and the benefits were immediate. Returning provider Mikaely Schmitz brought familiarity for students and staff, while new provider Alex Miller added additional expertise and capacity.
eLuma’s ability to tailor the .6 FTE role was critical. The arrangement covered both therapy sessions and evaluations, ensuring compliance requirements were met and no student went without support. Just as important, the district didn’t have to wait weeks or months—eLuma staffed the position quickly, preventing service gaps and the potential need for costly compensatory services.
The Impact: Stability, Compliance, and Confidence
The results were clear. Students received uninterrupted therapy, with zero parent complaints. Staff were able to maintain manageable caseloads, preventing burnout. Compliance remained strong, with no risk of costly compensatory services.
“Without eLuma, we would have students going without services, which would require compensatory services… or higher caseloads with our current practitioners running thin on time.”
The partnership created stability not only for the present but also for the long-term health of Wausau’s special education services.
Looking Ahead: Consistency for the Future
The results were clear. Students received uninterrupted therapy, with zero parent complaints. Staff were able to maintain manageable caseloads, preventing burnout. Compliance remained strong, with no risk of costly compensatory services.
“Just jump in, because they’ll support you along the way.”