Paraprofessional Compensation

During our June 2024 final budget meeting, I made a motion to increase the para stipend for special education and bilingual para's. Unfortunately, the motion did not pass. However, I planned on pursuing other avenues in 2024 - 2025 to increase compensation for our Para's. I did not want to wait until June of 2025 because your work is crucial in support of students and staff. Where would we be if we did not have passionate para's supporting the workload?

This January 2025 during our regular Board meeting, Administration brought forward a recommendation to offer a recruitment incentive for Special Ed and Bilingual Teachers and Para's. It was for $3,000 & $2,000. The intent of the initiative was to fill vacancies in Special Ed. and Bilingual education. Less personnel burdens existing Staff and compromises student support.

As a result of the glaring need, I supported the measure because I wanted new staff to help our overworked special ed. staff and support our students. At the same meeting, I mentioned the need to find funding to support our current special ed. Para's and Teachers. I believe it was equally important to support our current employees working in the trenches.

The following month, Administration, brought a recommendation to give all of our current Special Ed. Teachers and Paras a retention incentive. The amount approved by the Board was for $300 for Special Ed. Paras. I heard that some of our Paras were disappointed, hoping that the amount matched the $2,000 new special ed. paras would receive. It is completely understandable.

Keep this in perspective, we only have enough funds to pay a $2,000 stipend for a small amount of special Ed. paras, but we have hundreds currently on staff that must divide our retention incentive by hundreds. For example, if we had $60,000 for recruitment incentives, and paid $2,000 per new employee, we could fill 30 vacancies. Now take that same $60,000, we have to divide that by 100 paras on staff, that would come out to $600 per employee. This is just an example, but it describes the situation accurately.

I intend to push for greater pay for Paras this June 2025. I value your work and know that your value to our students and staff must be appropriately compensated. We have made tremendous gains in various employee sectors, but Paras remain on my list of unfinished work. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to call me directly at 210.386.0075 or email me at umacij@gmail.com