Chelmsford School Staff Launch 'We're Worth It' Wage Campaign

CHELMSFORD, MA — Chelmsford Public Schools paraprofessionals, administrative assistants, clerks, aides, custodians, and teachers have launched a new “We’re Worth It” campaign to voice the need for livable wages for all school staff.

According to campaign organizers, school staff members work hard every day but do not earn a living wage that allows them to purchase affordable housing in Chelmsford or meet other basic needs. Chelmsford paraprofessionals, who tutor and work one-on-one with students with special needs or individualized educational plans, earn approximately $17,000 per year, while secretaries in the district earn less than $25,000.

“Let’s give the money to the people that work with the children,” said Lauren Cochran, President of the Chelmsford Federation of Teachers, in a statement. “During the pandemic, support personnel went above and beyond to make sure the students of Chelmsford’s needs were met. Alongside teachers, they help children with physical and learning disabilities achieve. These employees have also been asked to substitute full classes when teachers are absent with little to no remuneration.”

“It is high time that Chelmsford school support staff earn what they are worth,”she continued. “It is time we took a deep dive into the school budget to make sure the highest paid administrators are doing as much work as the lowest paid school staff.”

Over the last several months, Chelmsford and other school systems have experienced a shortage of people seeking employment in the paraprofessional and support staff roles. Cochran said that in order to get qualified personnel, you need to offer them livable wage and good benefits.

Chochran pointed to the example of a recent applicant employed at a local coffee shop who was ultimately not willing to leave that job to make less money as a paraprofessional in Chelmsford Public Schools.

“This new year-long campaign is to shed light on and educate the community about what these public school employees do for the children of Chelmsford and the disparities in salaries among all levels,” she said.