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Kaneland School District 302 struggles to find paraprofessionals as board OKs hiring

SUGAR GROVE – The Kaneland School District 302 Board has approved the hiring of two additional paraprofessionals, but finding them continues to be challenging as the district is now trying to hire a total of seven instead of five.

The board approved the new positions during a meeting Oct. 16 after recognizing that specific pockets of student needs would benefit from the additional support.

Kaneland already had been short five paraprofessionals this school year, but that number was increased to seven to maximize the learning environment in the schools.

“Filling paraprofessionals is a common concern across the state,” said Christopher Adkins, director of human resources for District 302. “We’ve been talking at our Kane County Human Resources Consortium about it and every district is struggling in a similar capacity, but I am confident we will be able to fill them but will need some time to do it.”

In other meeting action, the board announced and approved donations in the amount of $108,995.40 from eight parent organizations, which included the Kaneland High School Sports Boosters ($23,600) and Kaneland High School Performing Arts Boosters ($23,253.40).

Meanwhile, Kaneland Superintendent Todd Leden doesn’t have to worry about keeping his office fresh with artwork, as he receives new art each year that is shown off at the Milnamow Administrative Center.

It serves as a great compliment to the district’s talented young artists and the wonderful art teachers who help guide them, he said.

Leden announced and displayed the two pieces of artwork that were purchased from each district school this year.

First-place winners included Brynn Humm (John Stewart), Ansley Ruh (Blackberry Creek), Carter Grabowski (McDole), Olivia North (John Shields), Brenna Miller (Harter Middle School) and Jessica Kosior (Kaneland High School).

Those finishing in second place included Amelia Jones (John Stewart), Elena Kirkwood (Blackberry Creek), Angel Sosa (McDole), Corinne Faivre (John Shields), Giselle Galvez (Harter Middle School) and Ashtyn Winkler (Kaneland High School).

“This artwork, as it is selected, for the next two years, it will reside over in the district office,” Leden said. “It’ll either stay in my office for one year, which is awesome because I’m not real big on decorating for one, and it’s a good way to showcase our students. When anybody comes by the office, it’s there. The next year, it’s in the hallway and the third year it goes back to their school of origin.”

Source: The Daily Chronicle

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