Paraprofessional Staffing Changes: What They Mean for Students with Disabilities

Advocacy Update | Rachel Hafner, Executive Director

The Arc Upper Valley is aware of reductions in the paraprofessional workforce within Grand Forks Public Schools. We are monitoring how these changes may affect students with disabilities.

Last week, parents and leaders from the Grand Forks Special Education Unit participated in a Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) meeting. SEPAC allows families and district personnel to share perspectives and collaborate on special education services. We value the district's commitment to this process.

Parents raised concerns about reductions in special education paraprofessional staffing. Administrators discussed contributing factors, including district budget considerations, responsible use of resources, the state's school aid formula, special education funding, and staffing levels.

Parents encouraged the district to clearly communicate with families and staff about the staffing changes, their rationale, and student impact. Families were not informed before the school year, while staff learned about the changes as they returned in August. With concerns also raised before the Grand Forks School Board this week, continued communication and collaboration are especially important.

The Special Education Unit told The Arc Upper Valley that special education funding has not been reduced, and the staffing changes reflect an internal restructuring of resources. Regardless, the district's obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) remain unchanged. Students must continue to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), have their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) implemented, and be educated in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their needs.

Federal law also includes Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements, which generally require districts receiving IDEA Part B funds to maintain required levels of state and local special education spending, subject to allowable exceptions and adjustments. The Special Education Unit stated it will meet its MOE obligation this year. The Arc Upper Valley will continue to monitor this issue as the district works to meet those requirements.

For some students, paraprofessional support is essential to accessing their education. Decisions about those supports must remain individualized and based on student need, not simply the availability of staff or resources. Likewise, a student's progress should not, by itself, be a reason to remove needed supports. Progress may demonstrate supports are working, and teams must consider the student's continued needs before making changes.

The Arc Upper Valley values our positive working relationship with Grand Forks Public Schools. We are not here to assign blame, but to advocate for students and families and collaborate with the district on solutions.

We are also partnering with The Arc of North Dakota to follow the North Dakota Legislative Management Special Education Funding Committee, which is examining special education funding, staffing, paraprofessionals, IEP compliance, safety, educational outcomes, and resource allocation.

Our goal is simple: students with disabilities must continue to receive the individualized services and supports they need to learn, participate, and succeed in Grand Forks Public Schools. We encourage continued communication about staffing changes and a shared commitment to ensuring students receive those supports.

We Need to Hear From Families

If your child receives special education services through Grand Forks Public Schools, have staffing changes affected their services, supports, inclusion, safety, classroom participation, or access to education? Please share your experience with The Arc Upper Valley by emailing rhafner@arcuv.com. Family experiences will help guide our advocacy with the district and state partners. We are also available to families who need individual special education advocacy.

About The Arc Upper Valley

The Arc Upper Valley serves Grand Forks and the surrounding region through advocacy, education, and related services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.