photo by: Rochelle Valverde

Tatyana Younger, right, a district paraeducator and executive vice president of PAL-CWA, leads those gathered in chant as part of a rally at district offices, 110 McDonald Drive., on May 16, 2022.

More than 50 Lawrence school district classified staff and community members gathered for a rally Monday in support of bringing minimum pay for those workers to $15 per hour.

The school district began contract negotiations on Feb. 21 with the Personnel Association of Lawrence-Communication Workers of America, Local 6400, which represents the district’s paraeducators, custodians, food service workers, office staff and other employees. PAL-CWA held the rally ahead of its bargaining session with the district on Monday evening at district offices, 110 McDonald Drive.

Tatyana Younger, a district paraeducator and executive vice president of PAL-CWA, led those gathered in chants, at one point calling through a megaphone, “What do we want?” and the group answering back “A living wage” and then, “When do we want it?” and the group answering back, “Now.”

PAL-CWA President Hannah Allison-Natale said those gathered included PAL-CWA union members, members of other local unions, as well as some parents and certified staff. Allison-Natale said community support for the union’s push for $15 for all district staff continues to grow.

“I think people care deeply about the people who care for their kids,” Allison-Natale said.

photo by: Rochelle Valverde

More than 50 people gathered at district offices, 110 McDonald Dr, on May 16, 2022, in support of a proposal to increase minimum pay for district classified staff to $15 per hour.

In a statement Monday, PAL-CWA said that there are 400 custodians, food service workers, paraeducators, secretaries and other district classified staff who make less than $15 per hour. Of those, about 300 of those workers make between $11 and $13 per hour.

The Lawrence school board recently approved $6.4 million in budget cuts, including some reductions meant to free up funding for raises for both certified and classified staff. Specifically, the district estimates $3.62 to $4.27 million is needed to address a budget shortfall, due mostly to enrollment declines, and the remaining funding can be used to help fund staff raises. Contract negotiations between the district and the union for certified staff, the Lawrence Education Association, are also ongoing.

School board member Kelly Jones, one of the board’s representatives in negotiations, did not immediately respond to an email from the Journal-World Monday asking whether she had a comment regarding the union’s wage proposal, but told the newspaper in an email last month that she respected the request.

“I respect (PAL-CWA’s) ask for increases in wages and the board is working toward honoring that, even during difficult budgetary circumstances,” Jones wrote.

Allison-Natale said the district has not yet made a counter offer regarding wages, but one is expected soon. Following Monday’s session, the next bargaining session is scheduled for June 1.