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candgnews.com AUGUST 14, 2024 Vol. 17, No. 17
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Paraprofessional positions can be gateway into educational career BY CHARITY MEIER
Lydia Moore, executive director of special education for Farmington Public Schools, and Dorene Forster, the principal of Visions Unlimited, interview a candidate for a parapro position during the job fair July 26 at the Maxfield Education Center in Farmington.
cmeier@candgnews.com
FARMINGTON/FARMINGTON HILLS — Paraprofessionals, aka paraeducators, are needed across the Farmington Public School District and the state to provide much-needed support for teachers of students with special needs. “Paraprofessionals really are individuals that we hire and provide training for in order for them to support our special education students or our students who have medical needs or reading needs,” said Dorene Forster, the principal of Visions Unlimited. “They’re really teacher assistants.” In order to meet the need for parapros, FPS held its annual paraprofessional job fair July 26-27 at the Maxfield Education Center. Several district staff members were on hand to conduct immediate interviews. During the job fair, candidates were also able to ask staff members questions about the positions before they apply, allowing candidates to have a clear understanding of the position and the terminologies used within the educational realm.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
See CAREER on page 10A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Local fire marshal helps in national recall of unsafe cellphone battery charger BY MARK VEST mvest@candgnews.com
FARMINGTON HILLS — A Farmington Hills fire marshal is credited with helping launch a nationwide investigation. In February, the Fire Department received a call
about a cellphone booster battery pack exploding and catching fire. Jason Baloga, a fire marshal with the department, said he wanted to personally oversee an investigation. A resident was at home with his 2-year-old, and while doing dishes, the resident was charging a cellSee BALOGA on page 14A
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After investigating a cellphone battery pack that exploded and caught fire, Farmington Hills Fire Department Fire Marshal Jason Baloga helped launch an investigation that eventually led to a product being recalled.