The local press has featured two stories on the recent vote by Groton Public Schools instructional assistants and tutors to join with the district's other paraprofessionals already in our Union. The
first was printed in the New London Day two weeks ago, and this week's edition of the
Mystic River Press includes a
second article on the election. Both highlight the voices of our newest members making the case for a voice on the job for vital public education support staff.
Our own statement was issued the day after an election in which nearly 90% of the paraprofessionals in the district's schools who cast ballots voted Union "YES." One hundred and thirty classroom aids and tutors who had been considered "temporary" now have a voice in improving working conditions for themselves and the educational experience for the students they serve.
The latest article also announced a second election by an additional group of non-certified employees
seeking to raise standards in the district's schools. Late yesterday, Groton's library technical assistants voted to join our Union, bringing another seven members into our Paraprofessional Council's Chapter I22.
The double standard the district had applied to its paraprofessionals was a
strong factor in the drive for non-certified employees to organize a union election. Despite the fact that many had devoted ten or more years of service to their community, they did not have access to the same training and development opportunities the district provided the fifty-six paras whose voice on the job was recognized years ago.
Though both elections are a huge step forward for the
dedicated women who have united for better services for the children they serve, they represent the beginning of an important process. Raising standards is going to take a much wider effort to educate school board officials, district administrators, and students' parents about the critical role that paras play.
As much as a front-page story in the local paper helps raise awareness, the Mystic River Press overemphasized non-certified employees' concerns regarding economic insecurity to the exclusion of their devotion to serving children. The article also mischaracterized the work of "one-on-one" paras who support
students with special needs.
Which is why our members who work in Groton Public Schools should write a brief letter to the editor of the Day or The Press and tell their own story about what paras do for the community's children. We should not miss the opportunity these news articles provide to
set the record straight.
We have a general outline
you can download here on our wider efforts to gain a greater appreciation for the work of paras in schools all across Connecticut. Add your own personal perspective to make a strong argument in 200 words or less and send your letter today:
The New London Day:
The Mystic River Press:
Posted by:
Matt OConnor on 12/11/2009 at 12:57:00 PM