I cannot speak to Ryan's district, but my ex-wife works in a nearby district as a Paraprofessional, and if this had happened there, I would not have been surprised - apathy is probably the best word I can use. It's all about budget - that is the "go to excuse" when teachers bring up the need for more help in the classrooms. More time is spent dealing with violent and disrespectful kids that those kids who behave or are on the spectrum are left by the wayside - and this is kindergarten. Paying an administrator a six figure salary with a $1500/mo. car allowance meanwhile berating a $11/hr Para for spending an extra 15 minutes on the clock on an occasional day is illogical - the Para cannot just check out at the same time each and every day. There are kids that need to go to the nurse, the office, are on the playground with an already reduced number of staff present, etc. To be expected to just walk away at a preset time during chaos is negligent in my mind. But that was the direction given - clock out on time or else! It is horrible that something like this needs to happen for changes to be made. It will be interesting to see what reasoning is offered up by the district regarding how he could just leave without being noticed.
