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Teachers, parents urge board to reinstate kindergarten paraprofessionals amid safety concerns
Summary
Multiple teachers, a principal and union leaders said recent budget cuts that removed paraprofessionals from kindergarten classrooms have created safety and instructional problems and asked the Board of Education and superintendent to restore those positions.
Members of the Bridgeport community pressed the Board of Education on Sept. 8 to reinstate kindergarten paraprofessionals, saying classroom safety and the ability to teach were compromised after staffing reductions this spring.
Speakers at the public-comment portion described recurring incidents in which a single teacher is expected to supervise young children with varied needs, including toileting and frequent behavioral redirection. Jeff Morrissey, president of the Bridgeport Education Association, told the board, “The reinstatement of kindergarten paraprofessionals as district employees will allow teachers the flexibility they need to provide our kids with the best social and educational experience as they begin their journey with Bridgeport Public Schools.”
Why it matters: Paraprofessionals support transitions, restroom needs, dismissal and lunchtime supervision for 4- and 5-year-olds; speakers said removing those positions shifted safety-bearing tasks onto classroom teachers and specialists and increased the chance of classroom disruption.
The case for reinstatement came from several speakers. Giovanna Ramos, principal of Thomas [redacted] School, said kindergarten students “need assistance with things like walking in a line, how to be in a huge space, such as the gym, art room, cafeteria, library, music room, and playground.” Marilyn London, a special-education paraeducator at the same school, said shifting para duties forced her away from other IEP responsibilities and “This turns into a small snowball effect and affects the learning environment.” Amy Broad, BEA secretary and a kindergarten teacher, summarized the classroom strain: “We kindergarten teachers cannot do this alone. We need help.”
The board and Superintendent Avery were urged to press the State Department of Education and the technical assistance team for money from a $5 million allocation in the state budget; speakers noted any one-time funding would not guarantee sustainable support in future years. The superintendent said the district and board submitted recommended uses for the state funds and are awaiting guidance from the commissioner about allowable uses.
Discussion vs. decisions: The meeting recorded public comments and board-level acknowledgement; no formal motion or vote on hiring paraprofessionals occurred during the Sept. 8 meeting. Board members repeatedly framed the issue as one that may require state and city funding changes rather than a solely local budgetary fix.
Next steps and context: Board members urged continued advocacy to secure sustainable funding and asked staff to continue tracking needs. Several speakers asked the board to prioritize paraprofessionals, librarians and assistant principals alongside other staffing needs.
