Yuma Elementary District 1 proposes 5‑school pilot for on‑site behavior response specialists
Summary
District staff proposed a budget‑neutral pilot to hire five "student behavior response specialists" (one per pilot school) funded by reallocating roughly $200,000 from an existing contract; the board placed the job description on the consent agenda and discussed qualifications, metrics and a plan to report monthly.
YUMA, Ariz. — District staff on Tuesday outlined a plan to pilot five "student behavior response specialist" positions to support teachers and reduce instructional disruptions at Yuma Elementary District 1 schools.
Assistant Superintendent Mister Acosta told the board the roles would be site‑deployed, district‑funded positions intended to address frequent, lower‑level behaviors that distract instruction. "This is what we're doing behind the scenes," Acosta said, describing the proposed specialists as a way to get students quickly back into class and let teachers focus on the other 29 students.
Board packet materials and staff comments said the pilot would be budget‑neutral: roughly $200,000 previously used for a contract would be redirected to the five positions. Staff said the pilot would initially place one specialist at each of five schools; if data show positive effects the district would consider expanding the approach to all 18 elementary sites.
The district proposed minimum qualifications that include a substitute certificate, a high‑school diploma and fingerprint clearance, while staff said the district would prefer candidates with behavioral‑health experience. "We are definitely gonna prefer anybody who has some behavioral health experience," Acosta said, adding that the minimums were intended to widen the candidate pool and allow experienced parents or part‑time staff to apply.
Staff told the board they would collect both objective and subjective measures to evaluate success, including reductions in office referrals for the students served, classroom engagement and academic progress, and attendance. A member asked for monthly reporting; staff offered to provide monthly or quarterly updates and said the positions would likely not begin until January if approved.
Board members pressed on training and scope. One member said the specialists should not replace counselors for escalated incidents: "If it gets to the point where it's beyond their scope…that's where the expert would come in to support," Acosta replied.
The job description for the specialist is listed on page 90 of the meeting's consent agenda; the consent agenda was approved during the meeting. Staff said the pilot is intended to be evaluated before any districtwide rollout.
Next steps: the board included the job description on the consent agenda (page 90) for routine adoption; if the board affirms the consent agenda the district will post openings and begin the hiring process for the pilot positions, with data collection beginning once staff are placed onsite.
