Board asks superintendent to develop funding options for paraprofessionals in K‑3 classrooms
Summary
The board unanimously directed the superintendent to develop funding options to place paraprofessionals in K‑3 classrooms, approving the motion with two members absent.
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.
