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Incumbent Markham says Wakefield seeks competitive pay in paraprofessional contract talks
Summary
Thomas Markham said the district is negotiating in good faith with paraprofessionals and other employee groups, and emphasized the need for competitive wages and working conditions to recruit and retain student-facing staff.
Thomas Markham told WCAT that Wakefield’s contract talks with paraprofessionals are part of broader negotiations with multiple employee groups and that the district aims to offer competitive pay and working conditions.
“Any student-facing staff member deserves a fair and competitive wage,” Markham said, adding that the district is working “in good faith” and had a negotiating session the afternoon of the interview.
Why it matters: Paraprofessionals, food-service workers, custodians and clerical staff provide daily supports that affect classroom operations. Markham said the district must balance affordability with a salary schedule that attracts and retains experienced staff.
Markham said Wakefield has a long-serving staff and that maintaining that tenure requires an aggressive but affordable salary schedule. He also noted negotiations extend across five other union groups in town and that outcomes should prioritize classroom quality and student-facing services.
Ending: Markham expressed optimism about reaching a “good contract” and framed fair pay as central to sustaining school quality.
