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Parent urges earlier para assignments, praises extended school-year program
Summary
At public comment, Ashley Iikner Pendle praised the district's extended school year program for her non-verbal son and urged the board to assign paraprofessionals to classrooms earlier and improve pay and retention for para/staff; the board acknowledged the concern.
Ashley Iikner Pendle addressed the board during the first public comment period to thank the district for its extended school year program and to press a recurring request about paraprofessional assignments.
"This program has benefited my young son... he absolutely loves it," Pendle said, describing how the extended school year helped her son's social and communication skills. She asked the district to work toward a position in which paraprofessionals and parents know who will be working with students before the first day of school, arguing that paraeducators deserve the same attention as classroom teacher assignments and noting retention and staffing challenges.
Pendle urged better pay and earlier communication of assignments so paraprofessionals are not faced with uncertain first days and so families can prepare. During the same public-comment block, Sarah Norton, a pack representative, announced a public "chat" at the Owl on Monday, May 18, 6–8 p.m., where families can meet Dr. Heidi Phelps, the district's new executive director of student services.
Board members thanked speakers and acknowledged the value of the extended school year program and the district's efforts to open lines of communication between families and student-services staff.
