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    August, 2024

    Paraprofessional Staffing

    In keeping with our commitment to best practices, UCS regularly evaluates its systems, services, and programs to identify how to best fulfill our mission and deliver the best value to the students and families we serve.  We remain committed to staffing that fosters inclusive and supportive educational environments, particularly for students with disabilities.

    For the upcoming school year, Utica Community Schools is continuing its commitment to a student-centered approach to support learning. Our building-wide support paraprofessionals will now have greater opportunities to directly engage with students.  These individuals care about our students and have demonstrated abilities to positively impact learning.  In the coming year, these team members will be working with those students that have additional needs and with programs where additional support is needed. 

    Over the past few days, we have received inquiries regarding the impact of this decision.  As we are all aware, the needs of today’s students continue to change and evolve. The district must also structure to account for these changes.  This decision allows capable and talented paraprofessionals to target their efforts and assist those programs and students that are most impacted and that have the greatest educational needs.

    Here are some key takeaways from this change:

    • The restructuring will provide greater assistance to students and programs that need educational support.
    • Rather than staff members assigned to a general building assignment, the paraprofessional will support specific programs and students. For example, we will increase direct support through personal care (1:1 support) by 50 percent and increase direct support for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) program by 62 percent. Overall, direct student support to students will increase by nearly 20 percent over last year’s levels.
    • This process is part of our commitment to best practices with a focus on continuing to build a comprehensive network of staffing positions that enhance student support.
    • This transition involves the assignment of building-wide positions to programs or students for direct support. The roles of all other paraprofessional positions are unchanged.
    • The restructuring will not result in a job reduction for current paraprofessionals. Furthermore, to meet the needs of our students, UCS will be hiring new paraprofessionals.

    UCS remains committed to living out its educational mission, providing value to our students and their families, and continuing to evaluate how resources can best be used to enhance student and program support.

    This includes positions such as school social workers, behavior interventionists, school safety officers, elementary assistant principals, and interns. Each role is tailored to meet the diverse needs of students, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to maximize educational outcomes.

    These offerings include dedicated classrooms and trained staff for students with ASD, resource room programs, support from Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) in ASD classrooms, implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and paraprofessional training for those assisting students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). This structured approach underscores Utica Community Schools dedication to creating an equitable and nurturing learning environment where all students can thrive.

    We are committed to working with families and staff members who are concerned about how a restructuring may impact the ongoing educational process. I am grateful to our talented team members, teachers and staff members who share a common vision to empower our students to change their future and the world.   

     

    June 2024

    Question?

    I have been reading about layoffs in other communities as a result of the loss of COVID Relief funds. Will Utica Community Schools be laying off any employees this spring?

    Answer

    No. The COVID relief funds were used to add a number of needed support positions in our district, including increasing the number of social worker positions in UCS. Through strategic financial management, and despite the reduction of one-time only COVID funding, the district will retain all positions and there are no layoffs for any employee group for the 2024-25 school year. 

    Have Questions or concerns? Just Ask UCS!

    Questions@Uticak12.org 

    (586) 797-1000

    Utica Community Schools is a big place. Each week we will share the answer to commonly asked questions we are receiving in UCS. 

    If at any time you have a question, just ask us! Please include your contact information. 

     

  • Note - Parents with concerns/questions should always contact their schools. Your school team has the closest contact with students and are best able to address individual concerns regarding their child and the overall learning environment.

    Below is a list of typical questions regarding Utica Community Schools.

    Your Child's Teacher

    • Curriculum Questions
    • Questions Regarding Student's Progress
    • Information that may impact your child's learning

    Your Child's Principal

    • Program and Classroom Concerns, following conversation with teacher
    • Discipline Concerns
    • Building Management Questions
    • Curriculum Questions

    Typical District Inquiries

    Administrative Services Center:

    11303 GreendaleSterling Heights, MI 48312

     

     

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  • Note - Parents with concerns/questions should always contact their schools. Your school team has the closest contact with students and are best able to address individual concerns regarding their child and the overall learning environment.

    Below is a list of typical questions regarding Utica Community Schools.

    Your Child's Teacher

    • Curriculum Questions
    • Questions Regarding Student's Progress
    • Information that may impact your child's learning

    Your Child's Principal

    • Program and Classroom Concerns, following conversation with teacher
    • Discipline Concerns
    • Building Management Questions
    • Curriculum Questions

    Typical District Inquiries

     

    Administrative Services Center:

    11303 GreendaleSterling Heights, MI 48312