Paraeducators and Special‑education Staff Tell Brockton School Committee 2% Offer Amounts to a Pay Cut

Paraeducators, special‑education teachers and other support staff told the Brockton School Committee on Sept. 16 that a proposed 2% pay increase being discussed in contract negotiations would amount to a pay cut once rising health‑care and living costs are taken into account.

The speakers said the district’s labor team sometimes did not send a full negotiating delegation and that the committee’s current offer fails to recognize the scope of paraeducators’ work. "A 2% increase in the face of a rising health care cost is not a raise," said Stacy McDonald, a public commenter who identified herself during the hearing of visitors.

Nut graf: The comments came during the public comment portion of the meeting as contract talks continue between the district and union representatives. Speakers described long unpaid hours, frequent classroom pull‑outs, and injuries on the job; they asked the committee to return to the bargaining table with a higher offer and to adopt policies that reflect paraeducators’ professional responsibilities.

Support staff described duties that go beyond classroom assistance. "We pour everything we have into being. We deserve to be able to support ourselves and our families financially and to be respected for the professional skills we have," said Kim Boylan, a paraeducator at the Baker and a building representative.

Multiple speakers said paras perform translation, substitute teaching, behavior support and other tasks without commensurate pay or benefits. Tracy Fernandez, a para at South Middle School, said staffing shortfalls and unpaid extra work force many paras to hold multiple jobs. "What we are asking you to give us is a livable wage. What we are working with now is a slave wage," Fernandez said.

Several speakers described workplace injuries and limits of workers’ compensation. "We had a kid ... she got a concussion on 04/29/2022 and [she's] still on workers' comp," said Billy DeCosta, a para at the high school, recounting incidents that he said left staff with long recoveries.

A member of the school committee acknowledged the comments and said negotiations are ongoing. "We do hear what you're saying ... we are in negotiations," the committee member said.

Discussion versus action: The speakers' remarks were part of public comment; the committee did not take a formal vote on pay at the meeting. Committee members and staff said negotiations are continuing.

Clarifying details: The public commenters said the district has proposed a 2% raise; they characterized the contract as expired and in active negotiation. Specific proposed dollar amounts per job classification were left with committee members by a public commenter but were not read into the record during the meeting.

Ending: The committee did not announce an immediate settlement; members said they expect continued bargaining. Unionized staff and committee members said they will continue to press for a contract that reflects the staff’s stated responsibilities.