Special education paraeducator asks board to allow true off‑duty breaks without radio duty

Heather Weistrom, a special education teacher at Blackwood Elementary, used the public-comment period at the July 8 meeting to request that paraeducators be allowed to take true off‑duty breaks. Weistrom said paraeducators are typically expected to carry radios during their lunch and 15‑minute breaks and respond to safety calls; when break time is interrupted they are instructed to record the time on timesheets and that reported time is drawn from their limited professional development hours. "I see that as something that's important for their health and well‑being, and that in turn affects students' health and well‑being," Weistrom said.

What she requested: allow paras to take off‑duty breaks — for example by leaving radios in classrooms or turning them off — and ensure that any compensated interruptions do not reduce professional development allocations. She acknowledged that many PD hours are being used appropriately but said using them as flexible comp time diminishes intended training time.

Board response: the board did not take formal action on the comment during the meeting. The superintendent acknowledged the comment during the public‑comment section and board members thanked Weistrom for speaking up. No policy change or procedural motion was presented or approved that night.

Next steps: because the comment raised a personnel and procedure question, it will need follow up from district HR and special education administration; no timeline or specific follow‑up assignment was recorded in the meeting transcript.