The Mid-Prairie School Board approved the creation of a new special education paraprofessional during their regular meeting Monday.

Superintendent Mark Schneider addressed the board following discussions with district staff on changing the way the elementary paraprofessionals operate. Due to an increase in the number of students with behavioral plans at East Elementary, the council approved the creation of an additional paraprofessional position in the district that would work more directly with those students. Schneider added that this position could be filled with a new or existing staff member or a combination of two paraprofessionals splitting the responsibilities. The duties outlined for the position include to co-teach and train with current special education teachers Makenzie Kos and Katelyn Hammen, being second on the behavior chain of response, know and follow behavior plans, report behavioral episodes and provide recess and lunch support. Schneider says that at the end of the year, the district will look over its resources and shift paraprofessionals as needed.