Rally cries rang out along Naperville streets: “What do we want? Fair pay!” Passing cars honked in support of the Naperville Educational Support Personnel Association on Nov. 18 during a rally meant to show strength in the midst of bargaining negotiations that have left NESPA members without a contract for more than five months.
NESPA membership includes about 450 employees across Napervile District 203. Their membership includes secretarial staff, health technicians, assistants, aides, campus supervisors and computer support associates, among other positions.
“The reason why we’re out here tonight is to make sure that we’re not invisible, we’re heard,” said Dave Griffith, former President of Naperville Unit Education Association, which represents District 203 teachers.
The group of over 100 supporters gathered in the parking lot of the Naperville 203 Public School Administration Center prior to the Board of Education Meeting later that evening.
“We’re hoping that when we get into the board meeting, you can see all the different signs and that will help the board know we need a decent wage,” said Sharon Kurolenko, President of NESPA and a paraprofessional at Highlands Elementary School. “We need a fair wage and we don’t feel like we have that yet in any of the proposals that we’ve gotten.”
Teachers, parents and community members alike marched in solidarity with the union’s membership. Many in the group brought light-up signs and leaders of the rally shouted rally cries as the group marched around the block.
“We feel like having a good turnout, support [and] having some speakers will spur the board to give us a decent proposal,” Kurolenko said.
NESPA is looking for increased wages in the current contract negotiation, according to Kurolenko.
“I’m part of NESPA in addition to being a parent so I’ve seen it from both points of view,” said Kurt Kopinski, a paraprofessional at Meadow Glens Elementary School. “Having started as a paraprofessional this past year after having a corporate job for several years, I didn’t know what to expect from the job but I feel very strongly that this position is underpaid.”
The union marched during their last contract bargaining session in 2021, with negotiations leading to raises across the board.
“This is my third contract that I’ve bargained for,” said Vikki Stella, a library assistant at Naperville North. “We’re vastly underpaid. They’re paying $20 an hour at McDonalds; this is my 19th year and I make $19.52 an hour. All these people, they’re all underpaid.”
Paraprofessionals make up a significant amount of NESPA membership, and work daily with students in special education.
“You put yourself at risk,” said Kathy Hightower, a paraprofessional at Kingsley Elementary School. “Some of us work with incredibly aggressive and agitated students. You get injured on a daily basis, and you get minimum wage to get injured.”
Fourteen NESPA members and supporters later spoke at the board meeting, one of many attended in recent months by membership. Others watched to show their support, with many being directed to an overflow room inside the PSAC.
There is no set date as to when an agreement may be reached between District 203 and NESPA.
“Progress has been slow and both sides agreed to mediation,” Kurolenko wrote in a statement. “We are frustrated that we have not been able to arrive at an agreement even with the assistance of the federal mediator.”
