BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — Board of Education officials have agreed to appoint an individual for consultant teacher services for the 3-5 after school program in the high school.

The decision came during the board’s recent meeting but was met with some pushback by Board Member Susan Lambert.

Lambert told her fellow board members that while she felt the service the individual would provide would be welcome for the after school program, it might be difficult to attract a special education certified teacher for the role.

That’s because the position would receive a $1,500 stipend for the year, something Lambert feels is too small of a payment for a “very ambitious job description.”

According to Lambert, an individual who accepts the role would likely earn $15 per hour for the work involved. Teacher assistants in the Raider Academy make $25 per hour, she said.

I’m wondering why a special ed certified teacher wouldn’t be getting the $35 an hour that the other teachers get who work in that program,” she said.

One board member suggested the district should move forward with the position, saying it was a starting point that could be reevaluated down the road.

“If nobody applies, apparently it’s not enough money,” Board Member Timothy Hayes said.

District Director of Special Services Samantha Brown had requested the appointment, according to Superintendent Pat Brady.

“I think the board’s quite well aware that the 3-5 program supports our students academically. Some of them may have an abbreviated day for one reason or another and are not able to be in the regular school days. They may be students that have been disciplined and this is our alternative education space,” Brady said.

Brady also said some of the students have Individualized Education Plans that show they need consultant services, with a wide variety of reasons why the student being there.

So far, 20 students are enrolled in the program, seven of whom have consultant services listed on their IEP, Brady said.

“If approved, the chosen consultant would work with the teachers during the 3-5 program to provide resources and direction to meet the goals on their IEP,” Brady said.

In the job description, responsibilities would include “creating a safe, stimulating and nurturing learning environment and for assisting every student in reaching his/her fullest potential.”

The description also says the individual will act as a positive role model for students and “strives for quality and promotes pride in all District endeavors while working to fulfill the Mission of the District.”