Cedar students: 'Please don't get rid of her'

The Shelton School District is preparing a plan to reduce employees to save the district about $750,000 this school year, and two Cedar High School students Jan. 28 asked the Shelton School Board not to relocate the school's sole paraeducator, Beth Benedict.

Sophomores Anderson Porter and Ryan Simmons spoke during public comments at the board meeting at Mountain View Elementary School.

"I am representing Cedar High, where we are taught agency and ways to advocate for our community," Porter said. "I brought a few of my classmates from Cedar to share with you these large budget cuts, the way these budget cuts are affecting our school and our community. Cedar has about 100 students and have one support staff, one paraeducator, and her name is Beth. Beth has been part of Cedar since our school started five years ago.

"Beth has made various contributions to our community and overall Cedar culture ... She often stays after school for tutoring and has personally helped me and classmates with extra math support during class time. Many students and staff have built deep connections with Beth. Not only does she help students with school work but she is also our school's only medical technician. She attends all projects we do with the community and being a student with a life-threatening allergy requiring an epi-pen is crucial to my safety on and off campus."

Porter pointed out that with budget cuts, some employees have been laid off and others will be moved elsewhere.

"Beth was informed just 11 days ago that she will be relocated next fall," he said. "We understand budget cuts are complex and have many contributing factors. Our goal today is to show the impact these budget cuts have on our community."

"Beth is a very important aspect in Cedar High School," Simmons said. "She is the school paraeducator, she helps with math after school and she's really sweet and kind. In the past two trimesters that I have known Beth, she has given me great and helpful advice. She helped me when I was stuck on a problem in math and she has put up with my humor and loudness. I think personally that Beth is one of the best people at the school, so please don't get rid of her."

Simmons read quotes he gathered from his fellow Cedar students. "Beth has been an amazing resource for all students, even during my short time in being a student at the school. I have seen Beth step up and take care of students that need it ... She provides social and emotional support for the students who are having a hard time. Her absence at Cedar will be felt in every classroom by staff members and students."

At the Jan. 14 meeting, the board voted to reduce the number of classified and nonrepresented employees to help erase a $2.3 budget deficit.

In a 4-1 vote, the board authorized Superintendent Wyeth Jessee to prepare a plan to reduce employees to save the district about $750,000 this school year. Becky Cronquist cast the dissenting vote.

In the resolution, the district states it doesn't yet know how many vacancies will be created by retirements, resignations, leaves and discharges. The number of available certified positions for the 2025-26 school year also is unknown. The employees affected by the plan will be notified on or before May 15.