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Candidates flag unmet IEP services and vacant paraprofessional posts as staffing priorities
Summary
At the Durfee forum candidates raised special-education concerns, including a parent’s report that IEP services were delivered infrequently and an audience-cited vacancy total for paraprofessionals and teachers.
Special-education delivery and staffing shortages emerged repeatedly during the forum. A parent-candidate said her child, who has an individualized education program (IEP), had received weekly services only “about 5 to 10 times over the past 2 years,” and several candidates raised vacancies among paraprofessionals and teachers.
Randy Dudek described his daughter’s experience directly: “Any student who is on an IEP needs to be assured that what they're on the IEP for is being met… she's only had her weekly services met about 5 to 10 times over the past 2 years.” John Sylvia cited vacancy figures while urging policy enforcement and recruitment: “I just looked at the vacancies that we have here in Fall River. We have 34 para positions… along with 20 teachers.”
Candidates said addressing special-education staffing requires attention to both policy and budget. Kevin Aguilar called for regular policy review and stronger budget scrutiny to ensure resources reach special-education services: “Our policy committee should be meeting regularly… the budget is another piece for the school department.” Colin Dias said the district has strategic planning for special education but highlighted enforcement gaps and the need for community support.
Several candidates suggested practical responses: fill paraprofessional vacancies, review and enforce policies, explore recruitment/compensation strategies and consider year-round or extended pay arrangements to retain staff. No candidate presented a detailed funding plan during the forum.
