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October 17, 2023 Board Meeting
Agenda Item 44.
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| | | | | | | | Title
APPROVAL OF THE SEPARATE DAY SCHOOL CNA PARAPROFESSIONAL POSITION FOR OAK PARK SCHOOL (SSP-9)
Description
The proposed Separate Day School Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Paraprofessional would be assigned to each needed classroom at Oak Park requiring assistance with activities of daily living. This position would be responsible for performing direct student care and student care related activities, including, but not limited to personal care (e.g., toileting, feeding), activities of daily living, and other skills necessary for the student to access the school environment and make progress toward the mastery of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals. CNAs may help students access the learning environment by assisting students with mobility limitations and by facilitating the students' learning as directed by the classroom teacher. Positions could be considered as 10-, 11- or 12-month positions for Extended School Year (ESY) needs.
Gap Analysis
Oak Park School currently has 27 classified ESE Paraprofessionals vacancies. The positions have been posted since the beginning of the summer with a limited applicant pool. These ESE paraprofessional positions are critical to support student needs based on Individualized Education Plan (IEP) supports and services to include student academic needs and progress, health/medical needs, and ensuring the safety of students and staff.
Previous Outcomes
Current ESE Paraprofessional positions are 10-month SSP7 positions that are difficult to recruit, hire and retain. These positions continue to be vacant at the current SSP7 rate. During the 22-23 school year at Oak Park School, the year ended with 32 vacancies. This represents ESE Paraprofessional vacancies not filled. During the 23-24 school year, 27 SSP7 paraprofessional positions continue to be vacant.
Expected Outcomes
Due to the difficulty staffing and retaining SSP7 ESE Paraprofessionals positions, the conversion to SSP-9 CNA Paraprofessionals will enable Oak Park School to staff classrooms for students requiring significant support in basic need tasks, (e.g., toileting, diaper changing, feeding, and attending to medical needs) as follows:
- 1 Certified Nursing Assistant Paraprofessional (in lieu of a second SSP7 Paraprofessional)
- 27 out of 86 basic paraprofessional staffing needs are proposed to be replaced with a CNA Paraprofessional position.
This would increase the ability for the teacher and ESE Paraprofessional to focus on academic instruction and IEP goal progress.
Strategic Plan Goal
Recommendation
That the Separate Day School CNA Paraprofessional position for Oak Park School be approved as presented.
Contact Information
ALLISON FOSTER allison.foster@sarasotacountyschools.net
CHRIS RENOUF chris.renouf@sarasotacountyschools.net
Financial Impact
The difference between a 10-month SSP-7 ESE Paraprofessional and 10 month SSP-9 CNA per position is ($2,295.55).
Approximate total for 27 positions = $61,979.85 per year.
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