Gaylord administrators outline plan to hire student-engagement consultant and paraprofessionals funded by 31A grant

District administrators described a plan to create up to four new positions — a student engagement consultant and three to four paraprofessionals — to better serve students with discipline or engagement needs and provide staff training.

Mr. Weber said the consultant would handle students with disciplinary needs and help train staff so teachers are better equipped to support those students. He said the positions would form an inclusive classroom option and are intended to be in place by the start of the next school year. Funding for the hires was identified as 31A grant money "that would save us from our general budget," Mr. Weber said.

A board member asked whether the additional training would replace prior CPI training; staff replied the new training is more specialized and would be delivered as employees are hired and onboarded rather than replacing CPI offerings provided through the ISD.

Mr. Weber also said the board discussed contract-language cleanup and efforts to reduce staff turnover. The plan remains at the discussion and planning stage; the transcript does not record a formal vote to create the positions during this meeting.