Board asks superintendent to develop funding options for paraprofessionals in K‑3 classrooms

The Utah State Board of Education voted unanimously to direct the superintendent to develop a funding request that explores potential options for providing funding for paraprofessionals in kindergarten through third-grade classrooms.

Member Longacre moved that the board direct the superintendent to develop a funding request for potential options for providing funding for paraprofessionals in K‑3 classrooms. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously; meeting minutes record 13 votes in favor with two members absent.

In remarks supporting the motion, Longacre said, "if we have a paraprofessional in every K through 3 classroom, it will solve so many of our problems," urging the board to prioritize classroom-level investment. The board’s vote asked staff to prepare funding options and a plan for how paraprofessionals would be deployed; no dollar amounts or implementation details were approved at the meeting. Staff will return with cost estimates and program design for the October meeting.