ESP union president tells Hazleton Area SD board support staff need a living wage

Joyce Gumbida, who identified herself as the local educational support professionals (ESP) union president, used the public-comment period at a December 2025 Hazleton Area School District board meeting to urge the board to negotiate a living wage for cafeteria workers, paraprofessionals, secretaries and bilingual liaisons.

Gumbida described the scope of ESP responsibilities and the financial strain many face. "The average salary for an ESP in this district is approximately $24,234 annually, or slightly over $2,000 a month," she said, adding that after taxes that can be around $1,700 a month. She noted that cafeteria staff fed more than 900 meals at the high school that day and districtwide meal counts exceed 12,000 daily, and said many ESPs hold second or third jobs or even sell plasma to make ends meet.

Gumbida asked the board to begin working toward a living wage now, not when the current contract nears expiration. "We cannot continue to lose employees at the current rate and expect to keep all of our current schools properly staffed," she said, urging early negotiations to recruit and retain qualified staff.

Several board members publicly voiced sympathy for the union's concerns and warned of retention pressure from local warehouse employers that pay higher wages. One board member noted the need to begin timely negotiations and another asked that conference attendees return with reports so the board stays informed about best practices.

No formal board action to change wages or to open immediate bargaining was recorded in the meeting minutes; the union’s appeal was entered into the public record for follow-up under the district’s labor and budgetary processes.

What’s next: The union’s request increases pressure on upcoming labor negotiations and staffing planning; the board formed a policy-review committee and noted follow-up reporting on several agenda items, but no wage adjustments were adopted at this session.