Attendance/Planning Room Paraeducator

Attendance/Planning Room Paraeducator Location: Rutland Middle School Reports To: Principal Union/Pay Scale: REA – ESP Work Year: 181-day schedule Position Summary Rutland City Public Schools is seeking a dynamic, organized, and student-centered individual to join our team as an Attendance/Planning Room Paraeducator. This is a dual-purpose position that sits at the intersection of school operations and student support — requiring both meticulous record-keeping and a genuine commitment to helping middle school students make positive decisions. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, can shift seamlessly between administrative tasks and direct student engagement, and understands that consistent, caring communication with students and families is the foundation of good attendance and positive behavior outcomes. This is an extremely rewarding role with a meaningful impact on students' academic success and social-emotional development. Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date daily attendance records for all students using district information systems.
• Monitor student attendance patterns and flag trends indicative of truancy, chronic absenteeism, or class-skipping for administrative review.
• Contact students' families by phone, email, or mail to communicate absences, verify student whereabouts, and establish positive rapport.
• Coordinate with teachers, administrators, and counselors when attendance concerns arise that may require intervention.
• Prepare attendance reports and documentation in compliance with district, state, and federal requirements.
• Maintain confidential student records in accordance with FERPA and district policy.
• Supervise and provide a calm, structured environment for students referred to the Planning Room for behavioral reasons, including those awaiting parent/guardian pick-up.
• Take the lead in facilitating the full-day CLIMB program, guiding students through structured restorative activities aligned with administrative expectations.
• Support students in completing accountability projects that promote self-reflection, personal responsibility, and positive decision-making.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers and administrators to gather and organize meaningful academic work for students during their Planning Room placement.
• Model and reinforce de-escalation strategies and emotional regulation techniques to help students return to a productive learning state.
• Build positive, consistent relationships with students that promote trust and a sense of belonging.
• Document student behavior, interventions used, and outcomes for each Planning Room referral.
• Serve as a primary point of contact between families and the school regarding attendance and behavioral concerns — clear, compassionate, and professional communication is essential.
• Communicate regularly and proactively with administrators, counselors, and teachers regarding student status, attendance trends, and Planning Room activity.
• Participate in building-level meetings related to student support, MTSS, or attendance improvement initiatives as requested.

Knowledge/Skills

• Demonstrated ability to multitask and manage competing priorities while maintaining a calm, professional demeanor.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to engage positively and professionally with students, families, and staff.
• Ability to build positive rapport with middle school students, including those experiencing behavioral or emotional challenges.
• Commitment to confidentiality and professional discretion.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or its equivalent, required.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Calendar) and ability to learn district-specific information systems quickly.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail; ability to maintain accurate records in a high-volume environment.
• Previous experience working in a K–12 school district environment — familiarity with school culture, student information systems, and attendance procedures is a significant advantage.

Physical Requirements Work is performed primarily in a school office environment and requires extended periods of sitting, computer use, and operation of standard office equipment. The position may require standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting materials weighing up to approximately 25 pounds. This position requires the ability to move throughout school buildings and district facilities. Regular, reliable, and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Equal Opportunity Employer / Affirmative Action (EOE/AA)

Salary : $21 - $27