Floyd County Schools held a meeting this week to communicate important changes regarding the hiring of new paraprofessionals (paras) beginning April 1, 2025.
New charges include that starting April 1, all new paras will be hired through ESS, a permanent employee service. This change will not affect current FCS paras or bus drivers. Existing employees will retain their current status, insurance, and benefits.
Floyd County Schools Superintendent Dr. Glenn White assured staff that the shift to ESS will not result in job cuts for existing employees.
Current FCS paras are not being asked or encouraged to move to ESS. Employees who are vested or near being vested with TRS (Teachers Retirement System) should remain with FCS to protect their benefits.
The transition to ESS is designed to improve financial efficiency for FCS, particularly as health insurance costs rise to $22,600 per employee. On average, it costs the system about $28,000 annually per para, and these costs are not reimbursed by state or federal funding.
ESS paras will be paid a flat rate of $15 per hour, with weekly paychecks and a $15 attendance incentive for holiday and summer breaks.
However, there will be no paid time off, including sick days, personal days, or weather days. A 401k plan with a 3% employee match will be available.
School principals will conduct interviews and make hiring decisions for new ESS paras. Candidates will undergo the same background checks, drug tests, and training as current FCS paras.
ESS employees will be offered insurance, but it will not be through the state health benefit plan.
During the meeting, Dr. White said that the changes are intended to improve the system’s financial health while maintaining strong support for students.
