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Teachers, union leaders urge district action on student behavior and special-education staffing
Summary
Teachers and the Richland Teachers Association presented survey results and public comments urging the district to address classroom behavior and add special-education staff, including a dedicated SPED administrator and more paraprofessionals, to reduce workload and burnout.
Melissa Pilshaw, a teacher at Sequoia Elementary, told the Richland Governing Board she is overwhelmed by growing demands on the school's special-education program and asked the district to provide "a dedicated SPED administrator and increased paraprofessional support" to prevent staff burnout.
Felicia Martinez, president of the Richland Teachers Association, presented RTA survey results showing significant staff concern about student behavior and classroom disruptions. Martinez recommended creating a districtwide behavior task force, aligning discipline practices, expanding staff training, and increasing behavioral and mental-health resources to support teachers and students. The board did not take immediate action but discussed incorporating these recommendations into future behavior discussions.
At the June 8 meeting, Board Clerk Melissa DeWitt requested that future board discussions on student behavior include data and input from site administrators and the School Resource Officer. The request follows multiple public comments during the meeting highlighting classroom safety and staffing pressures. No formal motion to change staffing was made at the meeting.
