5:280 Duties and Qualifications

All support staff: (1) must meet qualifications specified in job descriptions, (2) must be able to perform the essential tasks listed and/or assigned, and (3) are subject to Board policies as they may be changed from time-to-time at the Board’s sole discretion.

Paraprofessionals
“Paraprofessionals” provide supervised instructional support. Service as a paraprofessional requires an educator license with stipulations endorsed for a paraprofessional educator unless a specific exemption is authorized by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). 

Individuals with only non-instructional duties (e.g., providing technical support for computers, providing personal care services, or performing clerical duties) are not paraprofessionals, and the requirements in this section do not apply.  In addition, individuals completing their clinical experiences and/or student teaching do not need to comply with this section, provided their service complies with ISBE rules.

Noncertificated and Unlicensed Personnel Working with Students and Performing Non-Instructional Duties
Noncertificated and unlicensed personnel performing non-instructional duties may be used:

1. For supervising study halls, long distance teaching reception areas used incidental to instructional programs transmitted by electronic media (e.g., computers, video, and audio), detention and discipline areas, and school-sponsored extracurricular activities;
2. As supervisors, chaperones, or sponsors for non-academic school activities; or
3. For non-teaching duties not requiring instructional judgment or student evaluation.

Nothing in this policy prevents a noncertificated person from serving as a guest lecturer or resource person under a certificated teacher’s direction and with the administration’s approval.  When appropriate, the Superintendent may seek approval from the responsible Regional Superintendent for a noncertificated individual to provide specialized instruction that is not otherwise readily available in the school environment, in a field in which the individual is particularly qualified by reason of specialized knowledge or skill.

Coaches and Athletic Trainers
Athletic coaches, including volunteers, and trainers shall have the qualifications required by any association in which the School District maintains a membership.  Anyone performing athletic training services shall be licensed under the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act, be an athletic trainer aide performing care activities under the on-site supervision of a licensed athletic trainer, or otherwise be qualified to perform athletic trainer activities under State law.

LEGAL REF.:  34 C.F.R. §§200.58
105 ILCS 5/10-22.34, 5/10-22.34a, and 5/10-22.34b
23 Ill.Admin.Code §§1.280, 1.630 and 25.510.

CROSS REF.:  4:170 (Safety), 5:30 (Hiring Process and Criteria), 5:35 (Compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act), 6:250 (Community Resource Persons and Volunteers)

ADOPTED:  November 22, 2004

REVISED: March 17, 2008 
February 22, 2010
January 24, 2011
November 19, 2012
November 24, 2014
May 26, 2020