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State proposal to expand ECAT requirement could raise district staffing costs by roughly $900,000, staff warn
Summary
Administrators told the board the legislative proposal tied to the Third Grade Success Act that would require an ECAT (paraprofessional aide) in every K–3 classroom regardless of size could increase the district’s need for ECATs from about 57 to roughly 85 and cost nearly $900,000 more than current plans.
District staff warned the board that a pending legislative proposal tied to the Third Grade Success Act could significantly increase staffing needs and unfunded costs if adopted.
Why it matters: Under current state guidance and local staffing assumptions, the district counts ECATs (paraprofessional aides) for K–3 classrooms only when enrollment crosses statutory thresholds (kindergarten: >10 students requires an ECAT; grades 1–3: a threshold of 12 students triggers an ECAT). Staff said a proposal that would require an ECAT in every classroom regardless of size would raise the district’s planned ECAT count from the current 57 to approximately 85, with an estimated additional recurring cost in the “roughly $900,000” range.
Board members asked whether the proposed change would apply to other grade levels and discussed the prospect that, if the legislature enacts such a mandate without matching funding, the result would be an “unfunded mandate” for the district. Staff said the district has already shared these cost implications with the state school board association and is monitoring the bill’s progress.
Ending: Administration said it will update the board if the bill advances and requested direction if the board wants to lobby or engage with the association on the funding implications.
