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Public commenter urges board to restore paraprofessional health contributions
Summary
At the Dec. 2 Madison District Public Schools board meeting, James Mitchell urged the board to reverse a recent decision to stop district contributions to paraprofessionals' health insurance, calling the late notice 'morally repugnant' and warning of retention risks.
James Mitchell, who said he is a concerned citizen and a future school board member, told the Madison District Public Schools Board of Education on Dec. 2 that the district’s recent decision to eliminate employer contributions to health insurance for paraprofessionals was handled poorly and will harm staff.
"Waiting until the 11th hour to inform staff of a change of policy is morally repugnant," Mitchell said, urging trustees to "do the right thing by the staff and for this District." He said the change was communicated at recent meetings and described the manner of dissemination as "unprofessional and unethical." Mitchell estimated savings at "approximately $220,000 per year" and also referenced "$80,000 in total," and warned that those savings could be outweighed by the costs of rehiring and retraining in a field with staffing shortages.
The board did not take immediate action on the request during the public comment period. Trustees did not announce a reversal or a specific follow-up at the meeting; administration and trustees discussed routine agenda items afterward, including planning study sessions on school finance and board training.
Mitchell’s remarks were part of a single public-comment slot; no district official provided a formal response on the record during the comment period. The board’s consent agenda later passed by roll call vote and the meeting continued with presentations and committee reports.
