Board of Education — June 13, 2023

Early transcript-only summary — no source links

The Redlands Unified School District Board of Education held a meeting on May 25, 2023, beginning at 7:05 PM with four board members present and one attending via Zoom. The meeting included approval of previous meeting minutes, extensive public comment focused on paraprofessional pay concerns, two public hearings on labor negotiations proposals, and recognition of student and staff achievements. The dominant theme of public comment involved paraprofessionals urging the board not to reduce their pay, citing economic hardship, the critical nature of their work with special education students, and concerns about staff retention and turnover.

Key decisions

• Approved minutes from April 25, 2023; April 27, 2023; May 6, 2023; May 9, 2023 (two meetings); and May 16, 2023 board meetings (5-0 vote, all in favor including via Zoom)
• Held public hearing on initial proposal of Redlands Teachers Association (RTA) for 2023-2024 negotiations (no public comment received)
• Held public hearing on initial proposal of Residence Education Support Professionals Association (RESPA) for 2023-2024 negotiations (no public comment received)
• Recognized Jeremiah Bolanos, state champion in triple jump with 4.0 GPA, attending Cal on scholarship
• Honored Redlands High School esports team for placing second in nation in first year; recognized coaches Nicholas Klasner and Janani Lias for excellence in esports coaching
• Recognized LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan) advisory committee members

Public comment

Extensive public comment (approximately 20+ speakers) focused almost entirely on opposing proposed paraprofessional pay reductions. Speakers included paraprofessionals, parents of special education students, and community members. Common themes included: financial hardship for paraprofessionals (many working multiple jobs), critical importance of paras to special education and classroom operations, high turnover risk if pay is cut, inadequacy of special education funding, physical and emotional demands of the work, and appeals for pay increases rather than decreases. Speakers emphasized paraprofessionals' essential role in supporting students with disabilities, managing behaviors, and enabling inclusion programs.

Notable speakers

Deborah Anderson - Paraprofessional, discussed recent home loss and financial hardship, Joseph Remilet - Parent of special needs student, advocated for paraprofessionals, Olga Romero - Parent of special education student in severe class, Regina Fraser - Parent of special education child, substitute paraprofessional, described demanding work conditions, Dana Brown - RC Para at Victoria Elementary, read anonymous statement about physical demands and low pay, Jasmina Lemus - Paraprofessional, read anonymous letter about working multiple jobs despite master's degree, Ethan Atil - Paraprofessional at Citrus Valley High School, described financial hardship from pay reduction, Brenda Bartlett - Paraprofessional at Citrus Valley High School, expressed concerns about homelessness if pay reduced, Cindy Van Horn - 10-year paraprofessional with Inspire Music program, presented humorous top-ten list of hardships, Cheryl Reedhammer - Paraprofessional and long-time district community member, suggested alternative solutions for severe special education students, Rebecca Acosta - Parent and former special education teacher, discussed need for paraprofessional foundation for inclusion programs

Topics: Paraprofessional compensation · Pay reduction proposal · Special education funding · Staff retention and turnover · Cost of living · Inclusion program implementation · Labor negotiations · Student achievements · Esports program · LCAP planning