District reports steep drop in special‑education support vacancies after partnership with university recruiters

Assistant Superintendent of Student Services O'Brien updated the committee on Jan. 14 about efforts to staff behavior technicians and paraprofessionals that support special education. She said the district partnered with a university instructors agency to recruit and onboard staff and that the partnership plus new contracts offering competitive hourly rates and benefits substantially reduced vacancies.

O'Brien reported that three of 51 behavior technician positions remain vacant and that five special‑education paraprofessional vacancies remain, with three of those filled by partner staff anticipated to transition to district employment. She said this staffing level is likely the fewest special‑education adult‑support vacancies the district has had in recent years and has improved delivery of services under students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

O'Brien explained contract language changes that transition behavior technicians to a 214‑day work year that includes summer programming. Behavior technicians hired after June 1, 2024, are required to work the 214‑day year beginning July 2025 and cannot opt out; technicians hired before that date had the option to opt out if they notified the district by Jan. 2, 2025. She said 15 paraprofessionals already opted into a year‑round schedule, improving the district's summer staffing outlook; the district is preparing summer postings to finalize staffing needs.

Committee members asked how many staff the district expects to need for summer programming; O'Brien said planning estimates have been as high as about 50 positions and that current opt‑ins reduce hiring pressure. The district will continue posting summer roles and expects to have adequate coverage for substantially separate programs.