Portsmouth school employees: Don’t cut special ed aides

Eight teaching assistant jobs in jeopardy under school budget

By Jim McGaw
Posted 2/27/18

PORTSMOUTH — “These children have been successful because of the people who work with them. We are a well-oiled machine,” said Michelle Silva to loud applause at …

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Portsmouth school employees: Don’t cut special ed aides

Eight teaching assistant jobs in jeopardy under school budget

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — “These children have been successful because of the people who work with them. We are a well-oiled machine,” said Michelle Silva to loud applause at Tuesday’s School Committee meeting.

Ms. Silva, a special education assistant at Melville Elementary School, was referring to the students who rely on teaching assistants when they need a little extra help with a problem, some direction, or just a break from class so they can recharge their batteries.

Now some of those workers are in jeopardy of losing their jobs, since the proposed school budget for fiscal 2019 calls for the net decrease of eight special education aides. Several School Committee members also voiced concerns about the proposed reductions. 

The second draft of the fiscal 2019 school budget presented Tuesday was about $150,000 more than the first draft reviewed two weeks ago, according to Chris DiIuro, director of finance and administration. Most of the changes were due to the addition of one full-time special education teacher and a part-time psychologist, as well as about $30,000 more in health care costs.

The proposed school spending plan now totals $39.02 million, a 2.4 percent increase over the current budget. If it stands as is, the committee would be seeking a 3.4 percent increase in the appropriation from the town, he said.

No action was taken on the budget Tuesday; the committee is expected to formally ratify a spending plan on March 13. (Special education will be a big focus of that meeting as well, Committee Chairwoman Terri Cortvriend said.) After that, the budget goes to the Town Council for review.

In place of the aides, the budget calls for three additional special ed teachers, as well as more co-teaching and a shifting of staff throughout the district.

A full house came out Tuesday to argue for keeping those teaching assistant jobs, however. 

Ms. Silva said while she understands budget constraints, the eight positions are simply too critical to be eliminated. “We’re not just concerned about losing jobs, but the progress of these students,” she said, adding that elementary school students going on to the middle school would lose that support if the proposed budget is passed.

“To take away that support when they need us the most is disheartening,” she said.

Jodi Dame, a special education teacher at Melville, said the aides are needed now more than ever, since diagnoses of autism spectrum disorders and other learning disabilities continue to rise. Studies show that students gain two to four months of progress when teaching assistants are providing support, she said.

“These proposed, drastic cuts not only have the probability of impacting the growth and progress of students with individualized education programs, but students of all types,” Ms. Dame said.

Georgianna Murphy, president of the local union representing Portsmouth school employees who are impacted by the proposed cuts — several of them were wearing green AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) shirts — also pleaded with the committee to retain the positions. 

“They’re good at what they do,” she said.

Member proposes increases

Committee member Allen Shers said he was not only against the proposed reductions, he wanted to add 12 additional teaching assistants, a comment that was met with loud applause from the audience. 

“Teachers need assistance to cover the classes. They don’t have time to cover the requirements they have now,” he said.

The district also needs to spend far more on technology, added Mr. Shers, who said he’d support equipping every student in grades 10 through 12 with either an iPad, Chromebook or a laptop. That would tack on more than $700,000 to the budget, he acknowledged.

“It’s not my position to address that we come in at 4 percent or less,” he said, referring to the state-mandated cap on municipal property tax levy increases. “It’s my position we provide whatever the kids need for a proper education.”

Mr. DiIuro said Mr. Shers’ proposals would add a total of about $1.36 million to the school budget, which would require a 7.3 percent increase in the town’s appropriation.

“That’s one of the things we’re up against — the 4 percent cap,” said committee member Frederick Faerber III, noting that the budget is already asking for a 3.4 percent increase. 

“Unless you ask, you don’t get,” said Mr. Shers. “This is what the kids need. They need this now.”

Committee member Andrew Kelly said he also supported keeping the teaching assistants and asked Mr. DiIuro what the impact to the town appropriation request would be if the aides were retained. Mr. DiIuro said it would increase the request by 0.7 percent.

“Well worth the investment,” one school employee called out.

Portsmouth School Committee, special education, Portsmouth budget

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Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.