Brandon Twp.- About five paraprofessionals from the elementary schools and the intermediate school may be given layoff notices prior to the beginning of the next school year.
The decision, say school officials, was necessary to free up about $42,000 to hire a language teacher, required for district students that do not speak English as their primary language. Debbie Apel, district human resources manager, says the position will be filled prior to the start of the school year in September. The position will incorporate reading, writing and speaking English for both Hispanic and Asian students within the district.
In addition, the Title I funding for at risk programs was slashed by about $31,000, reducing funding for some paraprofessionals.
‘Not all district paraprofessionals will be cut,? said Apel.
‘Some are funded by the general fund and may just have their hours reduced. Paraprofessionals will continue to work in the special education classrooms.?
Tom Miller, Brandon superintendent, remained optimistic about the layoffs.
‘The paraprofessionals have done an outstanding job for a long time,? said Miller. ‘The funds are just not there to keep them on, however, we will continue to work to find the money necessary to bring the paraprofessionals back. If we can’t, then teachers and parents will just have to pick up the slack.?
Paraprofessionals assist in a variety of daily school-related functions from lunch room supervision, to giving extra assistance to students who need it.