CDA SCHOOL LEVY: Vote yes

The failure of the May 16 levy would bring many significant cuts to our local schools. I’d like to call attention to one area in particular — our elementary school paraprofessionals.

At the elementary level, paraprofessionals can wear many important hats. At Hayden Meadows specifically, they provide valuable academic support to dozens of students. They provide regular, targeted, personalized instruction and support for students who struggle with core reading and/or math skills. These paraprofessionals provide individual and small group instruction that helps students make and maintain progress they might otherwise be unable to achieve in the larger classroom setting alone.

Our elementary paraprofessionals also provide individualized academic challenge and enrichment for our students in grades K-2 who are yearning for more. They are able to provide the advanced learning opportunities until third grade, when students are eligible for the Advanced Learning Program (which is another program to be cut without levy funding).

The failure to renew the supplemental levy will eliminate funding for many significant programs and positions across our district. The elimination of our elementary paraprofessionals will directly impact some of our youngest learners — both those who benefit from extra support and those who are ready for extra challenges — during the years that are most vital in building the foundations for reading and math skills.

Please support our students on May 16 by voting Yes.

MELISSA TOMCZAK

Dalton Gardens