[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6262307,"mediaKeyId","3115573-fc959e6715ac239667f5ea740de6aa3a","parentId",3115573,"title","Paraeducators urge pay parity with behavior technicians; parents raise special-education and bilingual services concerns","audioSeconds",1012,"startMs",493000,"endMs",1505000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115573-fc959e6715ac239667f5ea740de6aa3a&start=493&end=1505","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115573-fc959e6715ac239667f5ea740de6aa3a/thumbnail_493000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6262307/California/Paraeducators-urge-pay-parity-with-behavior-technicians-parents-raise-special-education-and-bilingual-services-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262307-4dc7be229f9de2debe1f1e3ba380f6da/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698707&Signature=CbBKAAHXGQ41X3ZUloRq9NpcthpeXLtMgAEXGJFL4R3vlIDdXGq6XJndRZLX5E1MAS0iquCk7qShA0eaeq4ACJLG3-8RyCAlPTyqibapI5ycuOvhAKkvcIn-qnTkrPtxSPHAA5U8RfAKiBxdM0xi37nMSMLZEVSB~d96pfSmJrAaxCD6qapH1sGx96SR-IkJM9UipAdOI8oX7Ljxz1OT9Pr7tdvHkDc-TV60bCW-DY4nx38fYZUuDImbu7ytCkZq8XbYBoksxhBppqWakG82f-q8aFCvbnkLcJ05fIlHTJCjIGQFv8dNnurthJfFU2DUYj7gCjCBxGrqjTVl~Rg8LQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alisal Union School District","date","2025-04-25T00:38:58.287Z","article","Multiple members of the public used the meeting’s public comment period to press the board on special-education supports, bilingual instruction and the pay and responsibilities of paraeducators.

Gladys Gomez, identifying herself as speaking on behalf of paraeducators, said paraeducators and behavior technicians “share the same job qualifications” but that paraeducators regularly supervise entire classrooms of 10 or more students and perform duties beyond student-facing support—preparing materials, translating at meetings, and sometimes covering for teachers. Gomez described physical risks on the job and said many paraeducators need second or third jobs to make ends meet.

Other commenters told the board there was “no transparency, empathy, or accountability in the educational process,” particularly for students in special education. A Spanish-speaking speaker asked for better interpretation services and recommended forming a special committee to address IEP transparency. One commenter asked that the district annul the contract with the new superintendent; that request was made as public comment and was not a board action.

Parent Susana Ramirez spoke in Spanish about her son’s therapy and bilingual instruction. Ramirez said her son was receiving “90 minutes per year,” which she contrasted with her expectation of 90 minutes per week and said much of the therapy was delivered by video. She also said she has repeatedly requested a bilingual classroom for her child and was told by a staff member she would need 20 parents to request a bilingual class.

Why it matters: speakers described direct impacts on students who need consistent in-person supports and on paraeducators who said their job responsibilities and safety risks are not reflected in compensation. Several speakers asked the district to improve translation and accessibility of meetings and educational planning for families who speak languages other than English.

Board response: trustees thanked speakers and noted the items will be considered in district oversight and negotiations. Public comments do not represent board action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting April 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple members of the public used the meeting’s public comment period to press the board on special-education supports, bilingual instruction and the pay and responsibilities of paraeducators.","taxTitle","Alisal Union, School Districts, California","taxId",38577,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262312,"District reports sizable gains on iReady and Istation diagnostics; staff link results to targeted instruction",416,3876000,4292000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115573-fc959e6715ac239667f5ea740de6aa3a&start=3876&end=4292","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115573-fc959e6715ac239667f5ea740de6aa3a/thumbnail_3876000.jpg","/articles/6262312/California/District-reports-sizable-gains-on-iReady-and-Istation-diagnostics-staff-link-results-to-targeted-instruction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262312-7f27283c36ab6b2e8ad0a60fcdc3ccc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698707&Signature=aDFi5vMYAux9~2MlnpX-tdKONytUVAggrzx6hfEvUKzW8MEzuyEmJ-K85Osznh9Qx5txL7viz~pGMjAcPy1rmWI197bdlkEhYOHtIFE4qU0wdVRLWdYelTPwkJf3o0qXCXgsEjdQBsc2DMMoGImYXVa4Pj1TFOJYBj0mmIZGLKAg9ztdsqDBI~Cza2umbLccf6PIpfFi-H6rMJxlU93KWMfR0cUldauwKCpEa7drxaG0lerUCMruNtqPejeNrDiwrLbB7zNgj5822AqE30yWrNKQB~xpbPA6NehzpTAR-ZEuhriwTRFry4ZDpclUFLcKNAiXuYOOwtvMBFazUExJNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mary Beal, the district director of leadership development and accountability, presented interim assessment results showing substantial gains in reading and math after districtwide implementation of iReady diagnostic tools this year.

Beal said reading students at or above grade level increased “from 12% at or above grade level to 32 percent,” an increase she quantified as roughly 1,260 additional students reaching proficiency to date. In math, Beal reported proficiency rose from 5% to 25%, an increase she described as about 1,344 additional students at the proficient level.

Beal emphasized that the diagnostics are computer-adaptive and are given three times per year. She said kindergarten students do not take the first diagnostic until December and that iReady is being used to set both “typical” and “stretch” growth targets; 22% of students had already met stretch growth in reading with roughly 30 school days remaining, she said.

Why it matters: staff said two consecutive years of stretch-growth achievement predicts students catching up to grade level, and administrators described using assessment data to personalize instruction, guide professional learning and plan supports. The district will also transition to a single Spanish-language iReady tool for bilingual classrooms so bilingual teachers can compare results more directly.

Trustees asked about alignment with state assessments and how sites use data with parents. Beal said CAASPP testing remains a next step and that staff plan to time diagnostics and parent conferences to make iReady results a regular discussion item with families.","District staff said iReady and Istation diagnostics, administered districtwide for the first time this year, show reading proficiency rising from 12% to 32% and math proficiency from 5% to 25%. Staff attributed gains to data-driven instruction and professional learning.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262317,"District outlines expansion of community schools and family resource centers; aims for site-based coordinators at 12 schools",827,2381000,3208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115573-fc959e6715ac239667f5ea740de6aa3a&start=2381&end=3208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115573-fc959e6715ac239667f5ea740de6aa3a/thumbnail_2381000.jpg","/articles/6262317/California/District-outlines-expansion-of-community-schools-and-family-resource-centers-aims-for-site-based-coordinators-at-12-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262317-5c8cfb73e69b4200a87e0e67768981d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698707&Signature=QnTs0EMKebxYSOUVNm6KSTA5aSHOIRBO8RI4IxiM2pwGsFuKXt1Gl-06HBWM4tmPH-rT4hg-LlIKHq2jkRXLbd3JBASjnl6zDZS737GTOLnuVb0EwkhbQJZ1x4hmutjqSzKIXUhSSwoDCKDA52Lp29o8a~61gJxXjrZpZLhD4vsB3LbB0Qtri9WwNc8m6TImP-ZqrQ4TFQV6N8ooSVqMDmQgnO1-FEnpHxqSJ09fpGOIpjbXotUn2T9yVW3MC0A1W7Vbv0qhQ9nk3xMCKYSIhJafsFN8nGvTB24shmk5IK6ryjv5wFEyxK-S3ZYqKv9xu0mLvbrDePpZR83YbWwENA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Julio Castro, director of Family and Community Engagement, told the board that Alisal Union School District’s community schools strategy will expand site-based supports and formalize services currently run through three family resource centers.

Castro read language from the California Community Schools Framework and said the district’s approach uses four pillars—academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement—to “empower our families” and address barriers to student learning. He said the district is working from a needs-and-assets assessment conducted in 2023 and will require each school to submit an implementation plan for board review.

Services and partnerships: Castro listed existing services provided by the family resource centers, including childcare for parent classes, language interpretation, housing assistance through the McKinney-Vento liaison, mobile health clinics and food distribution in partnership with Salinas Valley Health, Aspire Health and the Monterey County Food Bank. He said partner organizations include Partners for Peace, Salinas Adult School and local community groups that provide legal, health and cultural supports.

Staffing and timeline: Castro said the goal is to place a community school coordinator at each of 12 schools and expand parent education specialists from six to a full complement. He reported eight coordinators currently onboard, said three coordinator hires were board-approved at the meeting and one vacancy remains (application window closing May 2). He described home visits, year-round center hours and community events—haircut clinics, holiday drives and a parent summit—as part of the work to build trust and increase access.

Why it matters: Castro said many families didn’t know what services were available and asked that supports be located closer to school sites; converting space at each campus is intended to reduce barriers to access. He also emphasized sustainability and partnership-building to maintain services beyond the grant period.

Questions from trustees focused on how the program will amplify student voice, how coordinators conduct outreach and whether the resource center staff are bilingual. Castro said coordinators and parent education specialists will do home visits and that most staff are bilingual Spanish-English.","Director Julio Castro described a districtwide community schools strategy and the work of three family resource centers. The plan includes a community school coordinator at each campus, more parent-education specialists, year-round services and partnerships with health and social-service providers.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262322,"Alisal Union trustees consider banning student cell phones on campus; public town hall set for May 22",548,1664000,2212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115573-fc959e6715ac239667f5ea740de6aa3a&start=1664&end=2212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115573-fc959e6715ac239667f5ea740de6aa3a/thumbnail_1664000.jpg","/articles/6262322/California/Alisal-Union-trustees-consider-banning-student-cell-phones-on-campus-public-town-hall-set-for-May-22","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262322-98b89182311302e3123b334b5b7e7223/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698707&Signature=nkxaTAaAzenWyukykuaWHU7pdTytl9qD5i6atDb1joW3by~HmBgfZwBvbUPU-im1dvnIGUZZA1eaJv1QpIpEZ9L9SaGf~smBDBiltQc~vp7AAJRNm6usi1z1mBkNd9U5qG5YJLyjsasIIgnGA3K27puGr1HO-~8Zn~pu1Cak4fgur3DRXN0XH7s6EjxGtlVR50I8~OkyR~tmp6UzNRsUdCMnxlNW20-lrn2q3jAFBMf2KauDpuAJFJwLSR2~4uVhoxlzvC~yaC11yJPuY3VD9baPf2g9PKPQmbU2Y948KYl8-LZ3dpBo03~vkcezHOHU5NcDPb4uwgtrVv8E90tdAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Koenig presented a proposed change to Alisal Union School District policy that would prohibit students from using mobile communications devices—“primarily cell phones”—while on school sites or under the supervision of a district employee.

The proposal is aimed at reducing classroom distractions and limiting incidents of cyberbullying, Superintendent Koenig said: “If you see a student looking at a cell phone, nothing good is happening.” He described exceptions for emergencies, physician-ordered health needs and Individualized Education Program (IEP) requirements and said an administrative regulation will require phones to be off and kept in backpacks while students are on campus.

Why it matters: district leaders said the devices are a growing classroom disruption and are linked to instances of disrespectful social media postings. The board will review the policy in two readings and hold a public town hall so parents can ask questions about emergency protocols and consistent classroom enforcement.

Details and implementation: Koenig said the schedule is a first reading of the new policy and administrative regulation at the May 14 board meeting, a town hall on May 22 in the district boardroom to address parent concerns, and a second reading and possible approval on June 4. He described enforcement as a site-level responsibility; confiscated devices would be returned to parents.

Board members asked for clarity on teacher-granted exceptions and on parent outreach about the district emergency and safety plans. Trustee Perez said informing parents about safety drills and the district safety plan will make them more comfortable with a campus-wide prohibition. Koenig said teacher permission would be rare and gave field trips as an example where phone use might be authorized.

Next steps: The board will continue the policy discussion at the May 14 meeting and hold the May 22 town hall before the scheduled June 4 second reading and vote.","District staff proposed a board policy change to prohibit students from using mobile communications devices on school sites and while under district supervision, citing classroom distraction and safety concerns. The board will hold a first reading May 14, a town hall May 22 and a second reading June 4.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262302,"Students win percussion championships; nonprofit donates 30 guitars to district; showcase set for May 13",5075,88000,5163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115573-fc959e6715ac239667f5ea740de6aa3a&start=88&end=5163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115573-fc959e6715ac239667f5ea740de6aa3a/thumbnail_88000.jpg","/articles/6262302/California/Students-win-percussion-championships-nonprofit-donates-30-guitars-to-district-showcase-set-for-May-13","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262302-3744f137067a592fdc02a612198852b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775698707&Signature=OZEfYHRGJyDrgF88HB~Zb4JSUIAAUVYJvaUsnFwXjRp9rHsGXGlTGT0hmwhJjm0zcDrMXVvAiEB1xMdUXqPW2h2TBkJfaf~uKSshDQJK2M~lNYxRTekKfWEnk5gzJc2nW3AqZAmETcKkuTwGJ-lYuglCWRg~eQyowfPVVe56Z-Hcval1nY~I1QyFzjGKGi6A0Wlt3HHxT94z5FuRE4bPnXm1G9J-IlJvJDMXP2dUgP9d4yqnZa3DOa6ID0Begr6OBcp8-nNVQ2y7HzTSnhUN1zj7G8-RXHHIGP8fpujnojvdbwCixkJgOEEoD8Tydu7CGLXh6gAmT1w9wOHwhwQbQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board’s spotlight recognized the district’s performing arts students and expanded-learning staff after recent competition success and community donations.

Daniel Algasse, a member of the Forza team that supports expanded learning, presented video highlights and said Alisal’s performance groups “both achieved, earned, a first place gold medal in their respective classes at the Stockton competition” and that the groups plan to perform at Stanford University in July. The board applauded the students for their leadership and life skills learned through performing arts.

Separately, staff reported the district received a donation of 30 electric guitars and 30 amplifiers from the nonprofit Guitars Not Guns, led by former county assessor Steve Venini. The donation was announced at a recent Monterey County Office of Education ceremony and board members encouraged attendance at the district performing-arts showcase on Tuesday, May 13, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Western Theater at Hartnell College.

Other spotlights included recognition of assistant principals for National Assistant Principal Week and administrative professionals for Administrative Professionals Week.","Board recognized student performing arts teams that won first-place gold medals at a Northern California percussion championship and announced a donation of 30 electric guitars and amps from Guitars Not Guns. The district’s performing arts showcase is scheduled for May 13 at Hartnell College’s Western Theater.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Paraeducators urge pay parity with behavior technicians; parents raise special-education and bilingual services concerns

District reports sizable gains on iReady and Istation diagnostics; staff link results to targeted instruction

District outlines expansion of community schools and family resource centers; aims for site-based coordinators at 12 schools

Alisal Union trustees consider banning student cell phones on campus; public town hall set for May 22

Students win percussion championships; nonprofit donates 30 guitars to district; showcase set for May 13