CFISD public commenters urge higher pay for paraprofessionals and call for VAT support

Dozens of residents and employees told the CYPRESS‑FAIRBANKS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Trustees on May 21 that paraprofessionals need higher, more stable pay and that the district should seek voter approval for additional tax pennies to shore up recurring funding.

Chad Simmons, a parent and middle‑school teacher, said chronic underfunding has hollowed out programs and driven out veteran staff and urged trustees to "support the bond" and pursue a voter‑approved tax‑rate election to restore capacity. "Pennies on the dollar can ensure a restoration of CFISD and a return to high quality education," Simmons said.

Multiple paraprofessionals and staff speakers described low wages and long hours. Al Bronson, a district school psychologist, recounted a severe student crisis and said four paraprofessionals provided life‑saving support while earning pay the presentation listed as about $21,739 annually. "PAR professionals are the backbone of this district," Bronson said.

Dominic Chidz, a registered medical assistant who works as a paraprofessional at Goodson Middle School, said travel between campuses is unreimbursed and that "appreciation can't fill the gas tank." Jessica Hubard, who identified herself as a paraprofessional, tied pay to safety and legal compliance, saying paras execute federal IEP and 504 obligations daily and that low compensation increases turnover and risk: "When you undervalue us, you compromise safety."

An eighth‑grade student, Lexi Clemens, said campus behavior has worsened and urged investment in positive reinforcement programs and extracurriculars to improve outcomes. Jeremy Eugene, a Cypress Park High School teacher, asked trustees to consider whether the district’s pay scales leave paraprofessionals below the federal poverty line and urged the board to support ballot measures that would add revenue.

Thomas Jackson, a longtime resident, said CFISD is among the least funded large Texas districts and urged trustees to "appeal to the voters" in order to address a chronic funding shortfall. He asked the board to let the community decide whether to provide the local revenue the district needs.

The board did not take formal action during public comment but moved into a budget workshop in which administration presented options that would respond directly to many of the speakers’ concerns.