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NEISD paraprofessionals and teachers urge board to protect benefits and consider non-salary supports amid funding squeeze
Summary
Paraprofessionals and teacher representatives told the board the district faces financial pressure and urged steps such as freezing healthcare premiums, expanding classroom supply reimbursements to paraprofessionals and reimbursing certification costs; a union leader asked trustees to press state senators to increase the basic allotment.
Paraprofessionals, teachers and union representatives addressed the board with requests to protect employee benefits and consider non-wage measures to retain staff while the district faces state funding uncertainty.
The comments matter because the district is facing budget pressure and staff retention issues; public speakers urged district action on benefits and asked trustees to advocate at the state level for more funding.
Theresa Heard, a NEISD paraprofessional and vice president of the educational support professionals chapter of the Northeast Education Association, said health care premium increases have forced some support staff to drop coverage and asked trustees to "consider freezing health care insurance costs" and to extend classroom supply reimbursements to paraprofessionals. "For many of us working in support roles, any increase in premiums can be the difference between financial stability and financial stress," she said.
David Anderson, a classroom teacher and NEA member, echoed concerns about rising living costs and suggested compensating teachers asked to cover additional classes because of substitute shortages, expanding classroom reimbursement amounts and reimbursing teacher-certification exam fees.
Tom Cummins, representing the Northeast AFT, discussed state-level funding, telling trustees the basic allotment increases under House Bill 2 were insufficient and asking members of the public and board members to call their state senators to press for an increase. "The basic allotment increase in HB 2 is only $395 while an increase of about $1,300 per student is needed just to keep up with inflation," he said, and urged trustees and constituents to contact senators Donna Campbell and José Menéndez, who represent portions of the district.
Speakers said the proposals were pragmatic and cost-conscious measures the district could consider in lieu of immediate raises. Trustees did not take formal action during public comment but thanked speakers and noted the budget and consolidation discussions were ongoing.
