Support staff urge fair pay as board opens meeting; union president calls for retention-focused raises

Thea Burke, president of the West Windsor Plainsboro Service Association, told the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Board of Education that educational support professionals deserve "fair compensation" to reflect their responsibilities and rising living costs.

"No employee who dedicates their career to serving our students should discover that their years of experience are worth less in the district than their first day on the job in a neighboring one," Burke said during the meeting's public-comment period. She identified herself as a Plainsboro resident and said many support staff work second jobs, take on extra responsibilities or face difficult financial decisions.

Burke listed roles she said are underpaid — instructional assistants, school secretaries, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and other support personnel — and said low pay risks turnover and staffing shortages that would harm students. "Investing in the educational support professionals is an investment in student success," she said.

Board members did not make an immediate, detailed response during public comment. The board proceeded to routine business including multiple consent votes and personnel announcements later in the meeting.

Why it matters: Support staff provide day-to-day services that affect student safety, instructional continuity and school operations. The association framed compensation as both an equity and retention issue and asked the board to consider pay adjustments to reduce turnover.

What happens next: The board recessed into a closed executive session later in the meeting to discuss personnel and negotiations; the public record states confidential portions will be disclosed when feasible. No formal action on support-staff compensation was recorded in the public portion of this meeting.