Paraeducators urge pay parity with behavior technicians; parents raise special-education and bilingual services concerns

Multiple members of the public used the meeting’s public comment period to press the board on special-education supports, bilingual instruction and the pay and responsibilities of paraeducators.

Gladys Gomez, identifying herself as speaking on behalf of paraeducators, said paraeducators and behavior technicians “share the same job qualifications” but that paraeducators regularly supervise entire classrooms of 10 or more students and perform duties beyond student-facing support—preparing materials, translating at meetings, and sometimes covering for teachers. Gomez described physical risks on the job and said many paraeducators need second or third jobs to make ends meet.

Other commenters told the board there was “no transparency, empathy, or accountability in the educational process,” particularly for students in special education. A Spanish-speaking speaker asked for better interpretation services and recommended forming a special committee to address IEP transparency. One commenter asked that the district annul the contract with the new superintendent; that request was made as public comment and was not a board action.

Parent Susana Ramirez spoke in Spanish about her son’s therapy and bilingual instruction. Ramirez said her son was receiving “90 minutes per year,” which she contrasted with her expectation of 90 minutes per week and said much of the therapy was delivered by video. She also said she has repeatedly requested a bilingual classroom for her child and was told by a staff member she would need 20 parents to request a bilingual class.

Why it matters: speakers described direct impacts on students who need consistent in-person supports and on paraeducators who said their job responsibilities and safety risks are not reflected in compensation. Several speakers asked the district to improve translation and accessibility of meetings and educational planning for families who speak languages other than English.

Board response: trustees thanked speakers and noted the items will be considered in district oversight and negotiations. Public comments do not represent board action.