Committee approves recommendation to add two paraprofessional FTEs if needed

A district human-resources presenter told the Human Resources/Policy Committee that two additional full‑time paraprofessional positions may be needed this school year to support a student with significant medical needs and to reduce very large class sizes. The committee voted to recommend that the full school board approve two FTE instructional and special‑education paraprofessional positions if enrollment and staffing conditions require them.

The presenter said existing paraprofessional vacancies remain and that the recommendation would authorize adding two positions only if the district fills its current options and the need materializes. Committee members pressed staff on allocation and equity across buildings, asking whether paraprofessionals already assigned in some classrooms could be redeployed when one‑on‑one students are absent and how the district balances IEP requirements with efficient staffing.

Committee discussion described staffing practices: principals and central staff monitor adult‑to‑student ratios and attempt to reassign aides when one‑to‑one students are out, but members emphasized that IEP service requirements can limit reassignment options. District staff said they are tracking equity between buildings and reviewing ratios for both instructional and special‑education paraprofessionals.

The motion to recommend the two FTEs was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; the recommendation will be forwarded to the full board for final action. Implementation would depend on actual hires and on meeting IEP obligations for individual students.