The Jordan Public School District Board of Education on Nov. 10 approved the 2025–27 paraprofessional terms and conditions presented as the PERA agreement, including a 1.5% wage increase in each contract year, a $500 increase to family insurance contribution in year one and year two, and a $15 increase to wellness pay.

“Highlights that I would share would include a 1.5% wage increase this year and a 1.5% next year,” Superintendent Evenson said, describing additional changes to insurance and wellness pay. Evenson also said district leaders discussed attendance provisions and that state-level special education funding reductions and a possible payroll tax could affect district costs.

Evenson told the board the district saw 33 staff claim summer unemployment benefits in June through August this past year, costing the district about $120,000. “As of right now, I don’t know what will be in place moving forward, but it’s likely that school districts will need to fund that unemployment benefit,” Evenson said, urging the board to keep the potential cost “on your radar.”

Board members moved and seconded the motion to approve the agreement and the board approved the contract by voice vote. The board did not record an itemized vote tally in the minutes beyond unanimous voice approval.

The superintendent said district staff and the PERA team worked on the update and that board members provided feedback during negotiations. The agreement document also referenced efforts to encourage paraprofessionals to participate in wellness pay by increasing the stipend amount.

Next steps: the agreement will be implemented per its terms and become part of district payroll planning for the next two school years. Superintendent Evenson signaled the board may need to revisit budget assumptions if state aid changes or summer unemployment funding arrangements shift.