Brandywine Heights Area School Board voted unanimously on Monday to give Superintendent Dr. Martin Handler authority to send out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to outsource the paraprofessionals.

“I understand that this is a topic not without controversy, we’re almost being forced into that situation by the Affordable Health Act that takes effect in 2014,” Handler said.

Right now, the paraprofessionals work for six hours a day and 30 days a week. According to Handler, they are considered parttime yet under the affordable Health Care Act, it does not matter how they are classified as long as a worker works 30 or more hours a week, they are eligible for benefits.