Paraprofessional Jody Tanzer urges Hamilton board to spend time in ARC, include paraprofessionals in planning

Jody Tanzer, a paraprofessional in the district, US Coast Guard veteran and parent, used public comment to press the Hamilton K-12 Schools board to include paraprofessionals more fully in planning and decision-making. Tanzer described paraprofessionals’ daily support—emotional, academic and behavioral—for some of the district’s most vulnerable students and asked board members to "spend time in the ARC" on an ordinary day to understand classroom realities and see what works and what does not.

"Being someone's voice, their support system, their bridge to success, that's not just a role, that's a responsibility," Tanzer said, describing how paraprofessionals build trust through consistent human connection.

Board members later discussed related personnel and compensation issues during consent and new-business debate. Some trustees questioned recurring approvals for additional hours and stipends and whether the district operates within existing job descriptions; administrators said extra hours are sometimes necessary for state testing, specialized training and behavior-program consistency, and that some stipends are tied to contractual agreements or grant funding (Title II). A teacher who spoke in the meeting emphasized that most teachers already contribute substantial unpaid time and that additional paid hours recognize work beyond the regular school day.

District administrators said they are reviewing staffing and personnel reporting, and they will mark newly approved positions and provide transparency on personnel actions. The board did not take immediate action on the paraprofessional request during the public-comment period; members discussed using committee or noticed-agenda formats to provide more robust discussion and follow-up.