Brighton Schools Eliminate 20 Paraprofessional Positions

As part of the deficit elimination plan containing more than $3.4 million in budget cuts for the 2013-14 school year, the Brighton School Board of Education voted to approve the elimination of 20 paraprofessional positions from Brighton Schools.

While the agenda item was approved 7-0, Superintendent Greg Gray said during the special meeting that they were still working to answer questions raised by Trustee Beth Minert regarding how the early intervention program in the schools would continue to work.

"I feel it's an excellent early mediation program," she said. "I have spoken with Dr. Surrey and Dr. Gray-- they have heard my concerns, so we'll see what happens."

Explaining to the board that the program itself wasn't being cut, Assistant Superintendent Laura Surrey told the board that Brighton principals "believe we can at least have a discussion on moving forward in a different way that doesn't involve paraprofessionals."

While some of the discussion revolved around having teachers run the program, Minert said she was unsure how effective it would be adding those extra responsibilities on the teachers which include screening, training and "everything involved with it."

Other agenda items approved 7-0 during Monday night's meeting included:

• Contract for police liaison
• Neola Policies
• Custodial supplies bid
• June 2013 Deficit Elimination Program
• New staff hires
• Disposal of equipment
• Auto shop renovations