Teachers, paraprofessionals and union leaders press Methuen committee for higher pay amid turnover

Residents, teachers and union leaders used the School Committee’s Jan. 13 public‑comment period to press for faster, larger pay increases and to highlight staffing shortages across the district.

Several speakers said Methuen’s pay lags nearby districts and leaves the district short of paraprofessionals and other frontline staff. Ben Thompson, a program assistant at Marsh Grammar School, said program assistants face “poverty wages” and described a churn that left classrooms short of experienced support staff; he told the committee the district began this school year with “a record 62 positions of program assistance” vacant. Thompson said neighboring districts were offering substantially higher starting pay, and called on the committee to negotiate a contract that retains experienced staff.

Union leaders and teachers joined the call. Cara Blatt and Sue Pierce, union co‑presidents, said local negotiations are underway and called for swift, funded contract settlements that reflect the district’s student needs. At the meeting the union said cooperative talks were taking place and that both sides had productive conversations but urged that a final contract be funded to keep staff from leaving.

Why it matters: Staff stability is a running theme in the public comments and committee discussion. Speakers linked low pay to higher turnover, reduced program continuity for students (especially those with high needs), and increased reliance on per‑diem or temporary staff.

Key figures and proposals referenced - Vacancy and turnover: A speaker reported 62 program‑assistant vacancies at the start of the school year.