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Classified employees, substitutes press board for contract and pay changes
Summary
Multiple classified staff and substitute teachers used public comment to urge the board to support negotiations for better wages and pay timing; speakers cited retention concerns, medical responsibilities in classrooms, lack of a nurse at Lincoln Elementary, and delayed substitute pay.
Several classified employees and substitute teachers told the board Oct. 28 that they need better compensation and a concluded contract for the 2025–26 school year.
Heidi Neece, a parent and school staff member at Lincoln Elementary, described providing care to medically fragile students and said the school has no nurse on site, creating higher responsibilities for classroom staff.
Chris Riewald, who works in special programs at the district office, spoke for classified employees and said the group “still does not have an agreed upon contract for our 25‑26 academic year,” noting retention pressure and that classified roles include secretaries, office managers and family advocates. He asked the board to engage with cabinet members and bargaining representatives to consider the classified proposal.
A substitute teacher said she began working in September but will not receive her full pay for several weeks under the current pay cycle and asked whether the district tracks a substitute‑teacher union or alternative pay arrangements for faster pay cycles.
Amy Wilbright, a classified staffer, described repeated physical abuse from students in the course of her duties and asked the board not to see staff as "numbers on your spreadsheet," urging better wages and recognition for paraprofessionals.
A McKinney‑Vento liaison also spoke in support of a reasonable contract and said her colleagues were not satisfied with the current offer.
Board members clarified that board members are not permitted to participate in negotiations but can receive public comment and email updates; staff said they would convey the comments to bargaining leads and that there are additional negotiation sessions scheduled.
No formal action on bargaining was taken at the meeting; the commentary served as public input ahead of scheduled bargaining meetings.
