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Longtime paraprofessional urges board to revisit six-evening-activity requirement, cites childcare and pay burdens
Summary
A 27-year Franklin County paraprofessional told the school board that requiring paras to attend six evening activities is a hardship because many are hourly workers who incur childcare and travel costs.
At public comment Thursday, paraprofessional Stephanie Lovelace told the Franklin County School Board that the district's requirement that paraprofessionals attend six evening activities a year imposes hardship because most paras are hourly employees who must pay for childcare and gas.
Lovelace, who said she has worked as a paraprofessional in the division for 27 years, told the board paras do not have written contracts and that the evening requirement is enforced informally by reference to teacher contract language. "We are considered an hourly employee," she said, adding that nighttime events sometimes mean paying for sitters and missing other paid work.
She described how some schools schedule multiple events in the same season and said employees scramble to find replacement coverage. Lovelace asked the board to consider changing the requirement or clarifying expectations so paras can plan earlier for next year.
Board members thanked Lovelace for raising the issue and indicated staff would take the concern into account during contract and schedule planning. No formal action was taken during the meeting; the matter was discussed as part of public comments and will be considered by staff in future planning discussions.
