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Classified staff and union leaders press board for safety and pay in public comments
Summary
Multiple classified employees, union representatives and nurses told the board they face daily safety risks, staffing shortages and low pay; unions urged the district to reach a fair contract and prioritize staff safety.
A series of public commenters, many of them classified employees or union leaders, urged the Hillsboro School District board to prioritize worker safety and higher pay as bargaining continues.
Speakers included classified staff who described repeated on-the-job safety incidents. Margaret McReynolds, who said she has worked in the district 21 years and 18 years in life-skills programs, recounted being bitten, hit, having hair pulled and feces thrown in the classroom; she said such incidents happen repeatedly and contributed to significant workplace stress. Carol Shiren and other substitute and paraprofessional staff described building-based substitute shortages that leave some classrooms short and urged the district to ensure properly trained substitutes are available for specialized settings.
Several commenters asked that substitutes who fill life-skills and specialized classrooms be safety-care trained and compensated for that skill. Mary Krasinski, a classroom nurse, said when she is absent the district does not have properly trained substitutes available and that her absence leaves classrooms understaffed and students at risk.
Classified United representatives pressed the board to make the district a 'destination district' with competitive pay and reliable staffing. Alicia Infante, HCU political action chair and a Reedville wellness instructor, said many classified staff hold second jobs and struggle to make ends meet, and urged the board to invest in a sustainable compensation model. HCU said it will testify at the state level and continue bargaining pressure; bargaining with classified staff was scheduled to continue in early March.
Mary Kay Babcock, president of the Hillsboro Education Association (HEA), reported statewide advocacy and lobbying activity for stable education funding and requested continued board advocacy for special education funding and sustainable revenue reform.
No board action was taken during audience time. Board members and the superintendent acknowledged the comments and said district leadership and bargaining teams will continue negotiating and consider safety and staffing as part of contract talks and operational planning.
