Board members press administration about classroom aides and special‑education staffing in budget

Board members pressed district administration on March 25 about whether the proposed budget will include enough paraprofessionals and special‑education teachers to address large elementary class sizes and high IEP caseloads.

A board member asked whether the 24 paraprofessionals that were not hired under a previous budget are included in the new draft; administration replied the draft budget contains 13.5 full‑time‑equivalent positions, including eight certified special‑education teachers. An administration representative said the hired teachers are intended to reduce caseloads and expand elementary programs — life‑skills, emotional‑support and autism programs — and that the budget also includes a speech pathologist and additional learning‑support teachers.

"Eight of those FTEs are designated special education," an administration presenter said, describing the budget’s target to reduce caseloads and provide more equitable coverage across the district’s six elementary schools. Board members said they remain concerned about large classroom sizes and teacher workload, and asked whether additional paraprofessional staffing could be added later based on demonstrated need.

Administration said there is "leeway" in the draft budget to add paraprofessional positions as needs become clearer after enrollments and early‑intervention transitions are finalized; officials said targeted certified special‑education hires were prioritized to address caseload pressures. The district plans a more detailed finance presentation at the April Committee of the Whole meeting, administration said.