Security staff and paraprofessionals urge pay increases, warn of staffing crisis

Four union members addressed the board during public comment urging higher wages for security staff and instructional paraprofessionals. Linda Santolo, who identified herself as a district employee, said security staff perform critical safety work and that current wages do not reflect that value. "These wages do not reflect the value of our work," she said, adding that many staff work second jobs or extra security shifts to make ends meet. Lisa Thomas made a related appeal, saying both security officers and instructional paraprofessionals are essential to student safety and learning and that their wages lag other district positions. She said the disparity sends a message that the work is undervalued. Lisa Murray cited specific survey figures she said were from union research: "56% of our paraprofessionals and security staff are working a second job just to make ends meet and support their families," she said. Murray added that 72% of members work overtime or pick up extra security events and that 31% of members expect to retire within the next one to five years, a combination she described as a looming staffing crisis. Jaishawn Foster summarized the speakers' request: the union is seeking a fair market adjustment so the district can recruit and retain quality staff. Board members did not take immediate action during public comment; staff and board members acknowledged the concerns and said the bargaining process is ongoing.