I was ready to begin my journey as an educator, working with students who need additional support. I completed the requirements, paid for fingerprints and certifications, and was genuinely excited to get into the classroom and make a difference.

Before I could even start, I learned that my position had been eliminated because of budget cuts.

And I wasn’t the only one. Five other staff members at the same school were also let go.

I’m not sharing this to blame the school. I’m not blaming the district, either. I’m sharing it because this is what education budget cuts look like in real life.

They’re not just numbers on a spreadsheet.

They’re fewer adults in classrooms. They’re teachers being asked to do more with less. They’re students who need communication support, behavioral assistance, personal care, redirection, and help staying safe—with fewer people available to provide it.

And some of the students most affected are students receiving special education services.

These students don’t suddenly need less support because there isn’t enough money in the budget. Their needs remain. When support positions disappear, those responsibilities don’t disappear with them. They fall onto already stretched teachers and remaining staff, and ultimately, students feel the impact.

This issue is deeply personal to me. I was excited to work with these students, but I’m also a parent who understands just how important appropriate support can be for a child with additional needs.

That’s why I’m asking our state leaders and education decision-makers to prioritize adequate funding for special education services and the staff who provide them.

We need funding that allows schools to maintain the educators, teaching assistants, paraprofessionals, and other support professionals students rely on to safely and meaningfully access their education.

This isn’t about pointing fingers.

It’s about recognizing that when we cut education funding, there are real children sitting on the other side of those decisions.

Please sign this petition to show that our community supports protecting and strengthening funding for special education staffing and services.

Our students deserve classrooms with the resources and people necessary to help them learn, communicate, grow, and succeed.