Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves reduction of one PTA‑funded paraprofessional; trustees debate equity of PTA-funded positions
Summary
The board approved a resolution to eliminate one 0.75 FTE paraprofessional position at College Park that had been funded by a PTA program; trustees raised concerns about equity as schools with stronger fundraising can sustain extra staff while others cannot.
The board voted to approve Resolution 07/25/26 to reduce classified services by eliminating a 0.75 FTE paraprofessional position at College Park that had previously been funded by the Friends of Mandarin Scholars and the site PTA. Human-resources staff explained the position was an additional, PTA-funded role and that the PTA is no longer able to fund it for the coming year.
Trustees and speakers during the discussion emphasized the equity implications of PTA-funded staff. Trustee Proctor and others said schools with wealthier or more active PTAs can offer additional personnel that smaller PTAs cannot, creating disparities across the district. "It breaks my heart a little bit to just have this conversation," one trustee said, urging a future review of PTA-funded positions across schools.
Superintendent Ochoa clarified that the district does not require PTAs to fund required positions and that the district intentionally allocates more employees per pupil at Title I schools to address greater needs. Board members asked staff to prepare an agenda item to review PTA-funded staff positions, their prevalence, and potential policy responses to mitigate inequity.
Outcome: Motion to approve the resolution carried on a voice vote. Staff committed to a future report detailing PTA-funded positions and options to address inequities.
