DIAB employment subcommittee asks PGCPS for data on 1-on-1 aides, pay and training

The Disability Issues Advisory Board (DIAB) heard a report March 18 from its employment and hiring subcommittee, which is seeking detailed staffing and pay data to prepare recommendations on 1-on-1 aides and related support positions across Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS).

Jamie Payne, lead of the employment and hiring subcommittee, told the board the subcommittee met March 8 and identified priorities including expanding opportunities for parent volunteers, improving staff education about rules, addressing what the group called inadequate compensation and benefits for 1-on-1 aides, and creating training opportunities for aides and specialty teachers. “We defined expectations, and the following issues to address and submit recommendations to the DIAB,” Payne said.

Payne said the group compiled a list of data it needs to analyze the problems: turnover rate for aides, wages for all levels within PGCPS, total number of aides and where they are positioned, number of aide vacancies, types of training aides receive, bus driver salary levels, and the district’s volunteer policy and where it is implemented. The subcommittee plans to meet twice per month and aims to gather and review data in March and April, prepare recommendations in April and May, and submit recommendations to DIAB in May.

Vice Chair Theresa Smith asked whether the subcommittee had authority to request presentations and whether a meeting with the district’s chief human resources officer (CHRO) should be scheduled. Payne confirmed the CHRO is the person to contact for strategy and that the subcommittee had volunteers to collect available data. Administrative staff present said they would reach out to administration on the subcommittee’s behalf and suggested allowing two to three weeks for scheduling any requested presentations.

Tranel Bowman, a PGCPS representative, noted that the system’s specialist staffing plan and other resources are publicly available on the special education landing page and said she would send those resources to the subcommittee. Bowman also pointed the group to Administrative Procedure 44216.6 (volunteer services) on the public website when the discussion turned to volunteer policy.

The subcommittee discussed protocol for requests that involve district staff who are also committee members, and DIAB leadership emphasized following the board office’s process so requests are coordinated and avoid conflicts with public meeting rules.

The subcommittee did not take formal votes at the March 18 meeting; it requested that staff help collect the listed data and schedule follow-up meetings. The subcommittee’s next meeting was scheduled for the coming Saturday.