Board approves four special‑education paraprofessionals to support 53 high‑need students

District staff presented a request to add four classified positions to support students with intensive Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). A staff presenter said the district has 53 students who require full‑time, all‑day support and currently staffs roughly 30 special‑education paraprofessionals; she and trustees described how staffing shortages have affected programs and class configurations.

"We have 53 of those in our district," the presenter said, describing the three categories of need — behavior intervention, functional life skills, and medically fragile students — and how the positions would be staffed. Trustees clarified funding sources: these four positions will use a mix of federal IDEA funds, Medicaid reimbursements when families qualify and sign necessary paperwork, and the district’s maintenance‑of‑effort budget. The board discussed available grant carryover (about $350,000, as noted in the packet) and voted to approve the four positions for the 2026–27 school year.

Trustees and staff noted recruiting challenges for paraprofessionals and the district’s plans for training, micro‑credentialing, and tiered pay to improve retention. Officials cautioned that Medicaid is not a 1:1 reimbursement and that amounts vary by student, service type and provider qualifications. The board asked for continued reporting on hiring progress and budget impact.