Murray schools present School LAND Trust and TSSA plans to expand intervention, paraprofessional and behavior supports

Representatives from Murray School District elementary, junior high and high schools told the district board that School LAND Trust and TSSA allocations for 2025–26 will primarily fund paraprofessionals, expanded small‑group intervention blocks, professional development and digital behavior systems aimed at improving literacy, math and school climate.

School leaders and community council chairs said the money will pay for more reading and math intervention time, add or extend paraprofessional hours, buy curriculum and software such as IXL, and purchase a districtwide PBIS Rewards digital behavior system to replace paper tickets and streamline data collection. Jill Burnside, chair of Grant Elementary’s community council, summarized the approach: "If it's not broke, why fix it?" and said the plan keeps successful supports in place while targeting new needs.

The plans reported to the board showed a consistent focus on three areas: (1) increasing adult support in classrooms through paraprofessionals to run reading and math interventions, (2) improving teacher capacity through paid planning and targeted professional development, and (3) using data and…