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Paraprofessionals tell Cy‑Fair board pay and working conditions force many to hold second jobs
Summary
Multiple paraprofessionals and clinic assistants told the CFISD board that current pay and benefits leave some earning under $23,000 a year, unable to afford health insurance, and often holding additional jobs; speakers urged the board to address compensation and retention.
At the Oct. 6 Cypress‑Fairbanks ISD board meeting, a string of paraprofessionals, clinic assistants and support staff told trustees they are struggling to make ends meet and urged changes to pay and benefits.
Tanisha Wilson, speaking as a member of CFISD support staff, said, “A single paycheck no longer covers basic expenses like rent, groceries, gas, utilities, and health care.” Stacy Peterson described the range of duties paraprofessionals perform—behavior management, medical support, and supervising students—and said recently approved raises fall “nowhere near enough.” Dominique Chaitis said she earned “less than $23,000 a year” last year despite holding a registered medical assistant credential and supporting three children. Erica Monroe, a special education paraprofessional, said she cannot afford health insurance some weeks and sometimes has to choose between paying rent or a car note.
Speakers asked trustees to recognize paraprofessionals as essential staff whose compensation affects student services and campus safety. Several speakers also urged trustees to visit classrooms to see paraprofessionals’ day‑to‑day responsibilities and cited staffing shortages that increase stress on remaining staff.
Board president and trustees responded with expressions of appreciation and said the district is reviewing staffing, benefits, and budget items through committee work. Trustees noted committee updates on long‑range planning and budget briefings; specifics for a dedicated pay‑increase program or a timeline for additional raises were not provided in the meeting record.
Why it matters: Paraprofessionals provide direct student support—especially for special education and clinic services—and recruitment and retention shortfalls can affect classroom functioning across the district.
What’s next: Trustees discussed these concerns in board comments and committee updates; staff budget updates were referenced for future meetings but the transcript does not record a specific board directive or timetable to change paraprofessional pay.
