We, the undersigned parents, educators, and community members of West Orange, are calling on the Board of Education to protect paraprofessional roles within our schools and reject any plan to outsource these critical positions.

Paraprofessionals are not optional staff.

They are essential to the safety, stability, and success of our students—especially those who rely on individualized support.

These professionals:

• Provide consistent, trusted care for students with special needs
• Help maintain safe, supportive classroom environments
• Build relationships that allow students to learn, regulate, and thrive
• Outsourcing these roles puts that entire system at risk.

Third-party staffing models often mean:

• Rotating or inconsistent personnel
• Reduced familiarity with students’ needs and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Limited accountability to the school community
• Gaps in training, continuity, and care

For our most vulnerable students, consistency is not a luxury—it is a necessity.

Why This Matters

West Orange has built a reputation as a district that supports all learners, including those in Special Education.

Outsourcing paraprofessionals would:

• Undermine that reputation
• Create instability for students who depend on routine and trusted relationships
• Introduce unnecessary risk into our classrooms

A Better Path Forward

We recognize the district is facing financial challenges. But protecting students must remain the priority.

We urge the Board of Education to:

Maintain in-district paraprofessional roles to ensure consistency, safety, and quality of care
Explore alternative funding sources, including grants and state/federal programs, to support Special Education services
Engage the community in identifying sustainable solutions that do not compromise student well-being

Our Ask

We are asking the West Orange Board of Education to:

👉 Commit to not outsourcing paraprofessional roles
👉 Prioritize student safety, continuity, and quality of care in all staffing decisions

👉 Explore alternative funding sources, including grants and  programs, to support services
👉 Provide transparent communication about how these roles will be supported moving forward

Our schools are only as strong as the support systems we build around our students.

Paraprofessionals are a critical part of that system.

Protecting them means protecting our kids.