Paraprofessional urges board to restore $1/hour toileting differential after reclassification

A Caledonia Community Schools special-education paraprofessional, who identified herself as Vicky, used the public-comment period on May 20 to ask the board to restore a $1-per-hour toileting differential for paraprofessionals who assist students with toileting needs.

Vicky said staff at the high school received training from the Kent ISD physical therapist to use toileting equipment provided by the district. She said a clause in the support-staff contract provides a $1/hour differential "for toileting students that need this extra assistance," intended for staff who handle bodily fluids on a daily basis. She told the board that after administration removed distinguishing classroom identifiers (e.g., CI, MOSEI, EI, ASD) and reclassified special-education rooms as "resource rooms," paraprofessionals like her lost the differential.

"What the parapros do for kids is important to the students and the teachers," Vicky said, and asked the district to honor the differential so paraprofessionals can focus on student needs. She thanked her principal, Mr. Martin, and the superintendent, Mr. Wheeldryer, for their support and said she hoped the board would resolve the situation promptly.

Board members thanked her for coming forward; no formal action was taken that evening and the public-comment item closed after her remarks.