Holyoke Public Schools and union leadership are continuing to meet with a state mediator as both sides continue their efforts to find a fair and sustainable contract proposal for the district’s 175 paraprofessionals.
Holyoke Public Schools began negotiating with the Holyoke Paraprofessional Association’s leadership team in March 2023 to secure a new contract since the existing contract was set to expire on June 30, 2023. A number of discussions then followed. The district’s most recent contract offer was presented to HPA union leadership on October 11, 2023.
“I believe this offer is both programmatically and financially responsible, offering significant pay increases over a three-year period,” Superintendent Anthony Soto said. “Unfortunately, the district’s offer was not accepted by union leadership.”
When no further progress could be made last fall, that is when the district and the union voluntarily agreed to seek the help of a state mediator. Both sides have met with a state mediator twice so far, first on February 1 and again on March 4. Two additional meetings are scheduled for April 3 and 9.
The district’s October 2023 offer would provide an average pay increase of 23.12% to paraprofessionals over the course of the proposed three-year contract (17% in the first year). The proposal would increase base salaries for paraprofessionals by $1.12 million in the first year of the contract, and by $1.64 million over the life of the contract.
“We are aware that a number of other school districts have already announced budget challenges for the upcoming school year. This is partially due to the expiration of ESSER funds, combined with negotiating contracts that they could not sustain, which has led to staffing cuts and reduced services to students in those districts,” Superintendent Soto said. “We value all of our paraprofessionals and understand the critical role they play in supporting all of our students. While we are still relatively early in the mediation process, I believe both sides are hopeful for a fair and sustainable resolution soon following a year-long negotiation process.”