Comments on Study of Para Staffing Levels in Vernon Schools

(Above, Vernon paraprofessionals at January 22 Board of Education meeting where study summary was presented)

"Our union members are understandably upset and concerned about proposals to cut paraeducator positions — particularly since we know there will be negative impacts for our students," said Dorothy Tedeschi, a a 1-to-1 paraeducator at Center Road School in Vernon. "We're more than numbers on a Power Point slide — we are skilled and qualified classroom support staff who make a difference in the lives of our community’s children," added Tedeschi, who has supported student learning in the district for 21 years.

"This was an important opportunity to learn more about why school officials are considering layoffs instead of better choices for managing district finances," said Tedeschi, who serves as president of the Vernon Federation of Paraprofessionals. "We know they have a tough job job, but they should realize that job cuts are no easy way out when our students’ futures are at stake," she added.

"What was presented to the board was heavy on statistics but light on facts about the effects of layoffs on student learning," said Shellye Davis, AFT Connecticut's statewide vice president for paraprofessionals and school-related personnel. "Vernon parents deserve better than a school board that would approve eliminating vital classroom support staff with so little information about the long-term consequences," added Davis, who works as a paraeducator at Moylan Expeditionary Learning Academy in Hartford.

"We're looking forward to seeing the data that produced the consultant's presentation," said Davis, who also serves as co-president of the Hartford Federation of Paraeducators. "Frankly, our union shouldn’t have had to ask for it; it should have been made available to the full board, as well as our members, before the first slide was shown. There’s too much at stake here to tolerate so little transparency," she added.

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AFT Connecticut represents approximately 30,000 professionals across the state, including PreK-12 teachers, paraeducators and education support personnel in 29 local and regional school districts. For more information, visit aftct.org or follow the labor federation on Twitter at @AFTCT and on Facebook at AFT Connecticut.

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Power Point Presentation: Summary of the Educational Services Analysis of the Para- Professional Delivery System