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Board requires Montessori teacher assistants to hold certification, defers funding details
Summary
After extended debate the Solon Springs board voted to require Montessori teacher assistants to obtain Montessori certification; the board did not finalize funding or pay‑bump details and asked governance to propose finance options.
The board deliberated at length on whether Montessori teacher assistants should be required to hold Montessori certification. Discussion covered who would pay for training, whether the district would provide pay increases after certification, how often assistants fill in for teachers, and how to set parameters (levels and commitment periods).
Board members noted the district currently has a mix of certification levels among assistants and that certification costs range from roughly $2,000 to $3,500 per assistant depending on level. Some members argued certification should be required to ensure program fidelity; others expressed concern about funding and potential personnel churn. The board passed a motion to require Montessori teacher assistants to hold appropriate certification, with the finance and governance boards tasked to develop implementation details and any compensation plan.
The motion set the certification requirement as board policy direction; specifics about whether the district will pay for training, provide pay increases, or require service commitments were left to governance and future committee action.
