Wallingford Schools To Cut 27 Paraeducators, Hire 9 Special Ed Teachers

Wallingford, CT - The Wallingford school district will be losing 27 paraeducators, but gaining nine special education teachers.

According to a report in The Record-Journal, the district is laying off the 27 of the 155 paraeducators but instead hiring nine new special education teachers.

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Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sal Menzo had warned the community of the cuts back in April.

“As of our presentation last week to the Town Council, the sustained services budget with no additional programming or staff was a 2.27% increase to this year’s funding,” Menzo wrote in an email to parents. “With the latest reduction, the funding for next year will be reduced to an increase of 1.80%. Needless to say, this places an additional burden on the budget process. This reduction will require layoffs of staff and the potential elimination of programs.”

Annie MacDonald, union representative for local paraeducators, told The Record-Journal that paraeducators are full-time staff and their salaries start at $17 per hour.

Read the full article in The Record-Journal here.