Paraprofessional's plead for change as contract renewal remains undecided

With wrapped gifts in hand, a group of paraprofessionals, parents and community members appeared in front of the Wareham School Committee to bring attention back to paraprofessional contract negotiations.

The meeting, held Thursday, Dec. 18, saw dozens speak in support of higher pay and better support following a failed contract negotiation between the Wareham Education Association and committee in August. 

Gifts were given to each committee member that voted down the negotiations. 

President of the association and educator within the schools, Deanna Semple, said she hoped this movement would help bring the spotlight back to the subject. Each present had a tag for what it represented such as empathy, support and hard work. 

"We thought maybe if we took that angle they would pay attention," Semple said. "Because clearly, they're not getting it."

Semple said she was unsatisfied with Superintendent Matthew T. D’Andrea's attention to the conversations and his work within the district.

Unit C negotiations, or paraprofessional contract negotiations, have been in the process of renewal since January 29, 2025. The association wanted a two-year contract to align with other school units contracts, which are typically three years. 

In doing a two-year contract, the association aimed to save the district money. Semple said the lack of change has led to paraprofessionals quitting. 

"We have a few really good paraprofessionals who already have established relationships with these students. But they're not going to wait around. Who knows when they're going to see this money," Semple said. 

Paraprofessionals within Wareham Public Schools have worked without updated wages, hours and performance agreements since the former contract ran out on Aug. 31. 

Chair of the school committee, Geoff Swett, said that when the new contracts are formed, the paraprofessionals will be paid "retroactively." This means the employees will be compensated for the salary they should have been receiving since the contract ran out. 

"It's a cash flow issue, not an earning issue," Swett said. 

Many got up to the microphone to give personal stories related to paraprofessional work. Paraprofessional Marilyn Morely said she makes just under $29,000 a year. 

"I live with my uncle, I have a baby and a 12-year-old with special needs, and while I understand that this is not about money— we have a huge staffing issue in our schools. We have a lot of incidents happening in our school because we don't have the staff," Morely said. 

Morely and many others spoke of the dangers of the classrooms being short staffed. From running into busy roads to panic attacks, the group brought to light incidents that stemmed from a lack of adequate staff. 

"I think its fair to ask volunteers who are on the school committee to offer a fair contract," Morely said.

Vice-Chair of the committee, Kevin Brogioli, spoke up toward the end of the meeting as the gifts sat in piles around the room. He said he appreciated the work the paraprofessionals do.

"Paraprofessionals make a huge differences in the buildings. They create relationships with kids that are very important and we mean no disrespect to the paras [paraprofessionals] by the actions that we are taking," Brogioli said. 

Brogioli said he believes the three-year contract offers a fair wage. 

"That's why I would like them to accept the gift of a three-year contract," he said. 

According to Swett, the committee has requested a meditator from the state to "try to mediate the difference of opinion."