EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MESSAGE

Members, below is an email referencing Paraeducator Information from Jessica Vavrus, Executive Director AESD/OSPI Network:

Dear ESD superintendents,

Please see the below update from PESB. As you know this topic/issue arose in the late spring when the original timeline for reducing the testing options for Parapros was slated for July.  Now the timeline has been pushed out to later December.  As we agreed at the time, I reached out to OSPI and PESB to share the concerns expressed by all of you regarding the shift – especially with regard to equity and access testing and support.

I recently visited with Erica Hernandez-Scott, PESB’s Interim Executive Director about this and to see what, if any, movement they’ve had in preventing the shift.  I also connected with Susan Lathrop who tracks PESB work closely on behalf of the network.

Here’s a quick summary of what I’ve learned:

• Unfortunately, because ETS is named in statute, there are challenges with making adjustments given their singular role with testing.
• PESB has petitioned ETS directly and through federal channels to request reconsideration of the change in testing modes, as well as more of a transition period (they requested 1 year). Unfortunately their efforts have not been successful.

• PESB is working with lawmakers to draft a bill for hopeful “early action” that would allow for other assessments and modes of parapro testing.
• Even if a bill is adopted early in the Legislative Session however, there will still be a gap between 12/22/2023 and that time where parapro testing access will be limited.

• This topic was discussed at the 9/21 PESB meeting. Here are links to the Agenda and Presentation: Agenda and Presentation

I asked how we can support their efforts and Erica suggested lending support to the bill when it drops.

She also offered to join one of your upcoming meetings to discuss this further, if folks think that would be helpful.

~jessica

Member Requests this week:

#1

I realized I missed the "this week" deadline for this week, and wanted to share the following survey for HR folks here: https://forms.gle/2PnT3adNx7RJGyrU9.  BISD is looking to put a new applicant tracking system in place and would love to gather feedback from other districts (we'd also be happy to share de-identified results to see which systems folks are most happy with, depending on the responses). The survey should take no more than 5-10 minutes tops.

Thanks so much!

Nate
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Nathan Fitzpatrick, Email: nfitzpatrick@bisd303.org

He/Him (what's this?)

Director, Human Resources

Bainbridge Island School District

206-780-1066

https://us02web.zoom.us/my/natefitz

Careers Page

#2

Our Superintendent needs some information for District Office staff such as Admin. Assistant/AP position, Payroll/HR position, and Admin. Assistant.  Any information is helpful, but we are specifically looking for salary scales, duties, are they union exempt, benefits such as personal days and vacation days, steps and/or longevity.  Since we are a smaller district with 100-120 employees and around 500 students our duties are combined and would love to have info from similar districts.

Thank you for any help you can give us,

--

Sheryl Montgomery, Email: smontgomery@slschools.org

Soap Lake School District #156

Payroll/HR Officer

Cell - 509-771-0226

Office - 509-246-1822 X130

Fax - 509-246-0669

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• November 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 - Fall 2022 Classified Administrator Brown Bag Series
• December 6, 2022 - Leaves of Absence Webinar (registration is Open)
• December 15, 2022 & January 6, 2023 - Discipline & Investigation Workshops (registration is Open)
• 12/15/22 - East Valley (Spokane)
  
• 1/6/23 - Evergreen Puget Sound
• January 13, 2023 - Discipline & Investigation (Zoom)

Funny for the week: "It amazes me how much exercise and extra fries sound alike"

Darrell Heisler

WSPA Executive Director