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Teachers at Elkhart schools press leaders over delayed 'added pay' and paraprofessional shortages; administration promises follow‑up
Summary
At the Aug. 26 board meeting, several teachers raised immediate concerns about the timing of supplemental "added pay" stipends and shortages of paraprofessionals in special education; the superintendent and trustees pledged rapid follow‑up and retroactive payroll adjustments where assignments are validated.
Several teachers used the Aug. 26 public comment period to press district leaders for answers about staffing shortages in special education and delayed supplemental stipend payments (commonly referred to in the district as "added pay"). Administrators and the superintendent addressed the concerns publicly and promised follow‑up information and corrections where appropriate.
What teachers said
- Chris Thomas Bartley, a teacher who said he works with students with disabilities, said the high school special‑education team is short on both certified staff and classified paraprofessionals. Bartley said the shortage forces teachers and special‑education staff to escort students around campus and limits educators’ ability to "push in" and co‑teach. He also raised a rumor that paraprofessionals who transfer between elementary and secondary positions might lose seniority; board members and administrators denied that policy exists and said they would investigate.
- Julie Tarkowski and Katie Lane, both teachers, said staff…
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