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Paramount Unified public commenters, unions press the board on special-education workload and bargaining issues
Summary
Public commenters and union representatives told the board that recent scheduling and bargaining moves have increased workloads—particularly in special education—and raised concerns about jury-duty pay, lost resource periods, and staff morale. Board members accepted comments and the matter was referred to staff for follow-up.
Members of the public and employee representatives used the board’s public comment period on Dec. 18 to press the district for concrete responses to classroom workload, special education staffing and bargaining concerns.
Daniel Hashimena, a public commenter, described changes he said have left special-education staff overburdened: “Our sped teachers need time now. They’ve been given a 150% of their normal caseload yet also have had the resource period removed,” he told the board, adding that the district’s interpretation of jury-duty compensation and deductions conflicts with the contract and has harmed staff morale.
Another speaker, O'Connor, urged the board to preserve a culture of collaboration and warned that recent bargaining strategies risked pitting employees and managers against one another. The board voted to extend O'Connor’s speaking time, and the extension passed by unanimous roll call.
Employee representatives also addressed the board. A TAP representative thanked volunteers and highlighted instructional leadership work but reiterated concerns about special-education scheduling, reduced planning time, personnel turnover, and administrative policy changes that TAP members say were not board-approved. Maria Gallano, the CSEA chapter parliamentarian, praised recent conversions of nearly 100 instructional assistants from substitute to permanent status and called the action a positive step for classified staff.
Board members did not enter into extended dialogue during the public-comment period, consistent with the district’s stated public-hearing rules; staff said follow-up would be provided if commenters supply contact information. Several speakers asked the board to verify contract compliance, provide data on administrator staffing and salaries, and outline how resources will be directed to classroom support.
The board later moved on to routine business, and no policy changes or votes addressing the specific bargaining claims were taken during the meeting. The transcript shows staff will follow up on individual inquiries per the public-hearing guidelines.
