Last night, May 8, 2019, the Board of Education passed the 2019-2020 budget, but not before a long discussion ensued regarding the Home School Assistants. Six were restored out of the eleven positions that were slated to be eliminated.

This was a direct result of the Home School Assistants who were courageous enough to speak to the Board of Education at the public hearing. Board Members stated publicly that hearing from the Home School Assistants and the Union Leadership was paramount to them understanding the vital role the HSA’s have in helping students and families. These are the people who actually go out and visit the homes of absent students, providing much needed assistance to families in need.

We were successful in restoring some of the original cuts to our bargaining unit, but not all. I will be reaching out by the end of next week to members who will be displaced. It is still our hope that no one will be laid off, and we are closer to reaching that goal.