Teaching assistants in Springfield School District 186 are advocating for wage increases following concerns about inequitable pay practices. During the Board of Education meeting on December 16, 2024, Amy Harris Long, a teaching assistant at Laketown, highlighted the challenges faced by assistants who perform similar duties to paraprofessionals but are not compensated equally. Long emphasized that as responsibilities grow, the disparity in wages has led to decreased morale and retention issues among staff.

Jean Rockford, a teaching assistant at the Early Learning Center, echoed these sentiments, urging the board to extend the recent pay raise granted to paraprofessionals to all teaching assistants. Rockford expressed frustration over the lack of communication from district administration regarding the pay increase, which she believes has created resentment among coworkers. She noted that many veteran assistants are considering switching to paraprofessional roles due to the higher pay.

Superintendent Gill acknowledged the importance of teaching assistants, stating that they play a crucial role in school operations. He expressed a commitment to addressing the concerns raised and indicated that discussions would take place at the bargaining table to explore potential solutions.

The meeting underscored the pressing need for equitable compensation for teaching assistants, as their contributions are vital to the educational environment. The district is expected to engage in further discussions to address these concerns and improve staff morale moving forward.