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Educators and paraprofessionals tell SSD board shortages are leaving students and staff at risk
Summary
More than a dozen educators and stakeholders told the Special School District board that severe shortages of trained special‑education staff are harming students and forcing teachers and paraprofessionals into unsustainable schedules; speakers urged immediate board action and better staffing, citing missed IEP minutes, substitutes filling certified roles and safety concerns.
Dozens of written and live public comments at the Special School District board meeting focused on what speakers described as an acute shortage of trained special‑education staff across St. Louis County, with multiple educators saying the gaps are causing missed services and unsafe conditions for students.
Sarah Hertel, a paraprofessional at Oakville Elementary, told the board Oakville serves 51 students with special‑education needs but has only four teacher‑level positions (one filled by a long‑term substitute) and seven paraprofessionals (one a substitute). "We currently have over 3,000 adult IEP support minutes per week that are not being followed," Hertel…
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