Paraeducators and parents demand living wages, urge board to settle Evergreen strike

Dozens of Evergreen Public Schools staff, parents and community members urged the school board Tuesday to settle a labor dispute that had delayed the start of the school year and left many families scrambling for childcare and staff short-handed.

Speakers at the virtual public comment period — including paraeducators, classroom teachers and parents — described low pay, long hours and safety concerns that they said have driven employees away and forced many to strike. “I am exhausted, frustrated, and livid,” said Whitney Van Volkenberg, identifying herself as a special-education paraeducator at Ellsworth, who asked the board to “Give us a fair contract now.”

The testimony focused on why the strike began and its community effects: paraeducators and other classified staff said pay averages were low, that staff frequently work unpaid minutes each day such as supervising students at arrival and dismissal, and that many employees hold second jobs to make ends meet. “Most of my coworkers work at least one additional job just to make ends meet,” Van Volkenberg said. Adam Aguilera, a…