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Board agrees to seek federal paraprofessional waiver to expand hiring flexibility
Summary
District staff will apply for a federal waiver that broadens allowable qualifications for paraprofessionals; the board authorized the request after staff described local training options and fallback hiring pathways.
The McCutcheon School Corporation Board on Tuesday approved staff’s request to apply for a federal paraprofessional waiver that would expand local hiring flexibility for instructional assistants and paraprofessionals.
Doctor Reilu explained the federal requirement that paraprofessionals meet a ‘‘highly qualified’’ standard — typically an associate degree, equivalent college credit, a Child Development Associate credential, or passing a qualifying exam — and said the waiver would allow the district to use local options, such as demonstrated experience (1,000 hours), successful prior evaluations, or completion of locally designated training plus on‑the‑job, program‑specific instruction.
Reilu told the board this was the third time the waiver was being requested and that the waiver is intended to expand the pool of candidates the district can employ while still ensuring staff receive job‑specific training. The waiver application requires board approval, and the board voted 7‑0 to permit staff to apply.
Ending: Staff will file the waiver application with the appropriate federal authorities and implement local training pathways if the waiver is granted; the board did not approve any changed hiring rules absent waiver approval.
