Teaching assistants and aides urge fair contract, training and communication changes at public comment

Two members of the school community used the public‑input period to call for changes affecting support staff and students with special needs.

Madeline Rivera, who identified herself as a teaching assistant and 33‑year district resident, told the board that after 20 years as a TA she still needs multiple jobs to make ends meet and described paying 25% for her own medical plan and 45% for family coverage. Rivera said she is speaking to press the board “to support its teaching assistance to help make this district strong” and noted, “We are 170 days without a contract.”

Lorna Gilbert Camposano spoke about shortages of paraprofessionals and related service providers for students with special needs and the effect on student safety and learning when positions go unfilled. She said some current aides lack required foundational training and urged the board to reinstate training or certification requirements (citing topics she believes should be required such as child‑abuse identification, school‑violence prevention, dignity for all students act training and basic autism training). She also questioned a district policy that she described as “prohibiting direct communication between parents and these aids,” asking what purpose that ban serves outside protecting institutional interests and urging collaboration to better support students.

The board did not respond during the public‑input period; Miss Larkin (public input facilitator) reminded speakers the board does not respond at that time and that the board will contact speakers or the responsible party if a response is needed.