Hundreds of education support professionals in Aurora Public Schools gathered at a recent school board meeting to advocate for the right to unionize and negotiate employment contracts. The group included nutrition workers, paraeducators, bus staff, custodians, and preschool facilitators.
Brandi Edmonds, an EA Tech at Clara Brown, described her experience as the only paraeducator for 200 students without any job-specific training. “We deserve to be taken care of too with job specific training so we can support our students, with livable wages so we aren’t worrying about how we can pay rent at the end of the month,” she told the board.
Heather Morgan, a nutrition worker at Vassar Elementary for 17 years, expressed frustration about lacking input on her pay. “Now the district says that I’m important, that I’m a vital part of the APS community, but if I’m so important, then why does someone else get to decide my raise without me? It’s not fair!” she said.
Hilda, who has worked in Aurora Public Schools as a custodian and paraeducator for twenty years, recounted experiences with harassment and retaliation when raising concerns. “I’ve seen over the years how we don’t have a voice, there’s no fair processes, and when workers don’t feel safe to speak up, dangerous conditions can keep going for years,” she said. “When you hurt me, you hurt my family, and you hurt my children, APS students.”
Bus paraeducator Marceline spoke about being responsible for student safety during transportation. She noted that staff who bring up safety issues are often ignored or labeled negatively. “On our own we are ignored or worse, labeled as ‘troublemakers,’ so we are coming together,” she said.
Maria Simental, a cafeteria cook who addressed the board in Spanish, highlighted her struggles living on $1,300 per month. “We are not asking for luxuries. We are asking for the possibility to live with dignity while serving the community we love,” she said.
Tiffany, a classroom paraeducator with a terminal medical condition, described financial difficulties despite having district health insurance. She explained that low wages forced her to move back in with her mother and take an additional job. “As an adult, not being able to afford to live is humiliating,” she said.
Preschool facilitator Kristine West pointed out issues such as lack of transparent pay scales and unclear disciplinary policies. “I don’t believe that any teacher should have to pause when caring for children because of the fear of losing their job,” she said.
The group collectively called on district leaders to establish a policy allowing union recognition and collective bargaining rights. Marceline summarized their request: “We need the right to a union, we need the right to bargain for a better district for all.”
