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Paraprofessionals urge committee to restore differential pay and adopt fair contract terms
Summary
Several paraprofessionals, teachers and parents told the Hampden‑Wilbraham Regional School Committee that removing a differential and failing to equalize contract terms hurts student support and staff retention, urging the committee to revisit negotiations and compensation.
Dozens of district staff and parents urged the Hampden‑Wilbraham Regional School Committee on Tuesday to restore a differential pay provision and to approve a contract that recognizes the expanded responsibilities of paraprofessionals.
Speakers during public comment recounted daily responsibilities that go beyond traditional classroom assistance. "The differential was not just extra money. It was recognition that this role carries additional duties and challenges," said Kayla Golden, a paraprofessional, who described duties that include de‑escalation, toileting and medical care. Several teachers and parents echoed that claim: Paul, a teacher at Lowerham Middle School, read a statement by Maggie Wall highlighting paraprofessionals' roles in music programs and at events; Jen Cer, a high‑school paraprofessional, said paraprofessionals now perform assessment support, behavioral intervention and other tasks once considered teacher work.
Parents and staff emphasized retention risks if compensation does not reflect those responsibilities. "When paraprofessionals are not there, students feel it immediately," Jen Cer said. Melina Bordon, a parent and paraprofessional working in an IR classroom, described the specialized, fast‑paced nature of that work and urged equitable treatment across paraprofessional assignments.
Supporters urged the committee to consider the district's recruitment and retention challenges when finalizing bargaining outcomes. Speakers requested that the committee either reopen negotiations or press for contract language that maintains targeted differentials for specialized roles.
The committee did not take action on the contract during public comment. Negotiations updates earlier in the meeting noted Unit A members had voted to approve their contract and that Unit C remained in mediation with a meeting scheduled for June 4; committee members said they would continue discussions in that context.
Next steps: mediation for Unit C is scheduled June 4; the committee will receive further bargaining updates and decisions on ratification in subsequent meetings.
