Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Esp Compensation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
ESP says pay is inadequate as board weighs finances
Summary
An ELD assistant told the board that Education Support Professionals earn wages she called insufficient, urging the district to settle ESP contracts fairly rather than cut frontline educators; the board later discussed budget constraints during a supplemental budget resolution.
During the public-comment period on March 13, Suzanne Murray, an English Language Development assistant at Colonel Wright Elementary, urged the board to settle ESP contracts quickly and to ensure staff are paid fairly.
"We are not currently paid enough for the work we do," Murray said, adding that she currently makes $19 an hour and contrasted that with past wages to underscore the financial strain on support staff. She urged the district to explore options — including selling district land or reducing contracted services — rather than cutting roles that directly serve students.
CFO Randy Anderson later reviewed fund balances and cautioned about unsettled expenditures. Anderson said staff are being cautious on transfers until final expense settlements are clear, while noting enrollment figures are presently stable. The board did not take immediate action to change ESP compensation during the meeting; no settlement was finalized.
Supporters at the meeting framed ESP pay as central to classroom outcomes, noting that early literacy support and student ratios depend on retaining experienced paraprofessionals. Directors did not dispute the concern but emphasized the need to reconcile compensation demands with the district’s fiscal picture and legal budgeting constraints.
