From Winging It to Winning: Crafting Solid Contracts for School Psychologists in Independent Practice
By Juliana Ramirez, EdS NCSP
Owner and Founder of PERA Services®
Independent School Psychology
School Psychology Contracting
Education Consulting Business
Private Practice for School Psychologists
Get Your Contracts in Order: Why You Need Ironclad Agreements as an Independent School Psychologist
I was reflecting the other day on just how far I’ve come in this business journey, and one thing stands out as an absolute game-changer—getting my contracts in order. If you’re a school psychologist thinking about stepping into the world of side gigs, whether it's doing evaluations, helping districts stay compliant, or offering that specialized skill set you've honed over the years, there’s one thing you need more than anything else: a solid, legally sound contract.
Why a Solid Contract is Non-Negotiable
When you’re working independently, you don’t have the safety net of a union to back you up. This means the protection of your business—and your peace of mind—is all on you. Trust me, a solid contract can make the difference between a smooth, successful venture and a stressful mess that makes you question why you ever left the comfort of a 9-to-5.
With August upon us, now is the time when most contracts are either being established or re-signed for the upcoming school year. Maybe you’re already in talks with a district, or perhaps you’re eyeing an opportunity to offer your services to a school in need. Whatever your situation, your contract needs to be rock solid. Because nothing kills a good working relationship faster than a vague, half-baked contract.
Key Elements Your Contract Must Include
Here are some crucial elements your contract should cover, and I bet at least one of them hasn’t crossed your mind yet:
Policies and Arbitration: What happens if something goes sideways? For example, I work for school districts across the entire state of Ohio, and I don't want to have to travel to Cleveland or Toledo for legal matters. My contract explicitly states that I won’t be traveling more than 50 miles from my home. Don’t leave this up to chance or assume everything will be smooth sailing. The minute things go south, you’ll wish you had this nailed down.
Payment Timeliness: What if the district doesn’t pay you on time? How long are you willing to wait before taking action? Your time is money, and if you’re not getting paid, that’s a problem. Ever since I added a late fees clause, it’s been nice getting paid within 30 days of service.
Evaluation Interruptions: What if you start an evaluation and the student moves away or leaves the school? Are you compensated for the work you’ve already done? As an employee, you might write a Prior Written Notice and move on, but as a contractor, your contract should ensure you get paid for any work you’ve done.
Miscellaneous Duties: Schools are infamous for adding “miscellaneous duties” at the last minute. If you haven’t stipulated what those are—or what to charge for them—you’re in for a nasty surprise. My contract lists all the miscellaneous duties I’m willing to do. Anything outside of this is met with, “I’m sorry, this isn’t stipulated in my contract.”
Travel Compensation: Imagine driving all the way to a school, only to find out the student isn’t there. Are you getting paid for your time and travel, or are you just eating that cost? As a contractor, this needs to be crystal clear.
Exit Clauses: What if you hate the gig? Does your contract allow you to end the relationship without a huge fallout? Mine has a 30-day notice clause via email, and I love it. Yours should too!
Lessons Learned the Hard Way
When I first started, my contracts didn’t have any of this. I was winging it, just hoping everything would work out. Spoiler alert: It didn’t always work out. I learned the hard way that hoping and praying aren’t strategies—they’re setups for disaster. But now? My contracts are airtight, and I sleep so much better at night knowing that my business is protected.
So, here’s the million-dollar question: Is your contract solid? Or are you just crossing your fingers and hoping for the best? If you’re in that second camp, it’s time to make a change.
Take Action: Protect Your Business
I’m an affiliate of Kelli Jones' Your Legal Era Shop, and she’s got the hookup on some seriously fantastic contracts. Her Independent Contractor Contract template is an absolute game-changer. And I’m not just saying that because I’m an affiliate. It’s the only type of contract made EXCLUSIVELY for school psychologists! This DIY template takes about 15-30 minutes to fill out and can be customized to your needs. See the Independent Contractor Contract for School Psychs HERE
No need to hire a pricey lawyer or spend hours figuring this out on your own. School psychologists who’ve invested in this contract rave about it because it’s literally transformed how they do business.
Secure Your Success
If you’re serious about protecting your business and enhancing your skills as a contractor with school districts, here are your next steps:
Discounted Legal Contracts: Ready to get your business paperwork in order? Use my affiliate link to Your Legal Era and get exclusive discounts on contracts tailored for independent school psychologists. Don’t let legal jargon slow you down; get it right from the start! Grab your discounted contracts here. *this is an affiliate link, if the link is clicked and a purchase is made, I will receive a commission*
Master Contract Work: If you’re serious about enhancing your skills as a contractor with school districts, don't miss out on The School Contract Code. As a subscriber, you get a special discount on this workshop that could redefine how you pitch and price your services. Elevate your game and secure those contracts! Enroll in the workshop here.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect your business now, and set yourself up for success. Trust me—this is one investment you won’t regret. 🚀
Want more Support?
If you’re ready to start your journey to independent practice, I’ve got just the thing for you. Download my free guidebook, The Guidebook: Action Steps to Starting Your Independent Business in School Psychology, which provides a step-by-step plan to help you get started in business.
And if you’re looking for more in-depth support, schedule a 1:1 coaching call with me. Together, we can dive deeper into your unique situation and tailor a plan specifically for you. Trust me, this could be the start of something amazing!
For comprehensive support, including community mentorship and all the tools you need to start your school psychology business, check out my course, Increasing Your Independence: Making the Big LEAP from Public to Independent School Psychologist. Learn more about the course here.
Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear from you and connect with you. Let’s break the cycle of undercharging and start valuing our services as we should. You’ve worked hard to develop your skills and expertise—now it’s time to ensure your fees reflect that!
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About Juliana
Juliana is a bilingual school psychologist in Independent Practice and the owner and founder of PERA Services Inc. Her business supports school districts in the state of Ohio with the evaluation of bilingual learners for Special Education. She also coaches and mentors school psychologists wanting to become independent and start a business. To learn more about her business and Juliana visit www.peraserivcesinc.com
