Letter: Amherst’s Paraeducators Deserve A Living Wage
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The following letter was sent to the Regional School Committee on June 8, 2023.
I appreciate the updates you are sending us regarding the contract negotiations with the Union. Yet, I still believe that the paras in our Amherst Regional Schools should be paid at least $21.00 per hour. Negotiating the pay from $18 and $19 dollars an hour is undermining the importance of their role in the schools. Paras have some of the most demanding jobs in the schools and should be paid accordingly. Their work requires incredible dedication and energy.
I have been a long term sub at Fort River since March for ESL students. I witness daily the multitude of creative ways paras de-escalate heightened situations for students and staff. My heart is warmed every time I see the connections they make with families who might not get addressed in the business of the school day. When I consider how much their work means to the progress of their students, I am moved to tears. I am not saying that faculty do not also have an important role, but I want to emphasize that it is the paras who are “in the trenches” day in and day out for our students. They are often the first to be called on when there are challenges.
Shouldn’t they earn a living wage so that they can be members of our community in Amherst? The paras I work with deserve $25 per hour for the hard earned trust they have gained from their students. Since some paras are already getting this salary, wouldn’t it be better to start everyone off on equal footing with $25? Paras do so much for our schools, they deserve to get paid more than the hourly wage offered at fast food restaurants on Route 9.
Lissa Pierce Bonifaz
Lissa Pierce Bonifaz is a resident of Amherst
Yes, yes and yes Lissa!
Recently the RSC said they had provided para’s with a living wage, however, once the rate is annualized they still fall short of that living wage.
Paraprofessionals do so much for our students, just the other day, a paraprofessional gave me a piece of chocolate from his bag during a difficult math test. They do this type of thing for students every day at ARHS, and are very supportive to the disabled community in the schools as well.
It’s also worth noting that the RSC’s living wage calculator says that an annual rate for 1 person with no children is 33,000 per year, that’s still more than the terms agreed to. Once the person has one child in their household, which many do, it goes up to 78,000 per year. That’s more than a para can ever earn, and over 12,000 more than the average teacher salary in ARPS.
Sadly, the vast majority of all school staff, para’s, teacher’s, janitors, and more do not earn a living wage, despite working nights and weekends more often than one may think.
Lissa, what you have to say here is very important and thoughtful. I know the para’s at my school and many families like mine living on teachers’ salaries appreciate it!