Paraprofessionals, who work hand in hand with classroom teachers in Gary, are finally getting a raise that will nearly double their hourly rate.

The state Distressed Unit Appeal Board approved the new memorandum of understanding with the educators in the Gary Teachers Union during Tuesday’s meeting in Indianapolis.

Gary Community School Corp. district manager Paige McNulty said the paraprofessionals have gone without a pay increase since 2005 when they earned $8.06 an hour. Under the new agreement, their hourly rate increases to $15 an hour.

The raises, which total about $205,000 for about 70 educators, will be financed through federal Title 1 education funding, according to the district.

McNulty said the low pay has made it difficult for the district to remain competitive with neighboring districts. At one point, she said there were 26 openings. In July, there were 18 openings.

The district’s paraprofessionals work in traditional and special education classrooms.

“Paraprofessionals play a critical role in supporting students’ learning, and they were overdue for a pay increase,” McNulty said.

The union agreed to changes in working conditions that will include an additional hour in the classroom as the district expands its school day when in-school classes resume Aug. 10.

The board also approved the hiring of former Republican state lawmaker Pete Miller to serve as its executive director following the resignation of Courtney Schaafsma who’s accepted a new position with the state Department of Education.

Miller, of Danville, is also a member of the state Board of Education. He worked in the Office of Management and Budget in the administration of former Gov. Mitch Daniels. He was a state senator from 2012 to ’16.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.