Public Notice: Ed-Flex Waiver Application – Bluffton-Harrison MSD Subject: Notice of Intent to Utilize Ed-Flex Waiver #2 – Paraprofessional Qualifications
Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District (BHMSD) is providing public notice of its intent to participate in the Ed-Flex Program, a federal initiative through the U.S. Department of Education. Ed-Flex grants state education agencies the flexibility to waive certain statutory or regulatory requirements that may impede efforts to improve educational outcomes.
BHMSD is applying for Waiver #2: Increased Flexibility in Paraprofessional Requirements to enhance our ability to recruit and retain qualified instructional assistants at our Title I Elementary School.
Current Qualification Options for Paraprofessionals:
● Two years of college experience (48 credit hours)
● An associate (two-year) degree
● A passing score on the ParaPro Assessment (within first year of employment)
Proposed Additional Qualification Options (with Waiver #2):
● 48 hours of college credit (no degree)
● A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
● Completion of LEA-required professional development
● Documented 1,000 hours of experience in a student-support role
● Satisfactory annual school-level evaluation
By expanding our hiring criteria, BHMSD can:
● Attract passionate individuals who support student learning
● Improve candidate pipelines for paraprofessional positions
● Retain skilled instructional assistants who foster consistency and student growth
Public Input Invited
We welcome feedback from parents, educators, and community stakeholders. Please direct questions or comments to:
Julie Meitzler, Assistant Superintendent jmeitzler@bhmsd.org
All input will be individually reviewed and summarized in the Assistant Superintendent’s Report at the BHMSD Board Meeting on July 20, 2026.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to strengthen education for all BHMSD students!
nb 7/1