Apologies to the paraprofessionals at RHAM Middle School and High School . An Oct . 9 ReminderNews article stated that paraprofessionals at the lowest pay level make just over $ 24 , 000 per year. While the hourly rate used was correct ( $ 11 . 68 ) , paraprofessionals are paid for only 185 days per year, and work a 35 hour week . “ Therefore , the annual salary for a first-year para working the minimum schedule is just over $ 15 , 200 , ” said Matt O’Connor , representative for CSEA / SEIU Local 2001 , the union representing non-certified employees in the district . “ Penn State’s Poverty in America Project puts a ‘ living wage salary’ for a single parent with one child living in the region at $ 39 , 000 , ” said O’Connor . The paraprofessionals at RHAM , many of whom work one-onone with some of the neediest students in the district , are being paid salaries well below that level . And many other members of the union , representing administrative assistants , paraprofessionals , maintenance workers , custodians , and an assistant bookkeeper , work under similar schedules and wages .

Yet despite these facts , the RHAM Board of Education elected at their Oct . 19 meeting to stand behind their original decision to reject a new contract for these employees . The employees’ previous contract expired in July of 2008 , and remediation led the Board to offer the employees a new contract that would have provided for a 3 . 75 percent increase retroactive to 8 / 09 ; two percent for 09 / 10 ; four percent for 10 / 11 ; and 4 . 1 percent for 11 / 12 . Proposed increases would not have brought employees up to the level of surrounding towns , which O’Connor said receive higher wages than RHAM employees . “ They would still be the lowest-paid folks in the district , ” he said . “ I think it shows a willingness to negotiate on the part of the union that they were still willing to accept the proposal . ”

But after the Union voted to accept the proposal , the RHAM Board voted six to four to reject it . “ The tentative agreement reflected the board members’ suggestions , ” said O’Connor at the time . “ This is way out of left field , to say the least . ”

Employees reached out to residents and elected officials in the towns of Andover , Hebron , and Marlborough , in the hope that board members could be persuaded to change their minds . When the board scheduled an executive session at their Oct . 19 meeting to discuss the issue , some members were hopeful that they’d receive good news . But many workers still showed up at the meeting to argue their case during public comment .

“ Taxpayers have every reason to be angry over the breakdown in negotiations between our Union and the RHAM Board of Education , ” said Jackie Skillings , a paraprofessional and a member of the Union negotiating committee . “ After allowing the Union to vote , the Board rescinded their offer . This is not bargaining in good faith . ”

“ I have worked for the district for almost 20 years, and our contract pays the bare minimum to some of the hardest-working and most dedicated people I know , ” said Maureen Brancato , the assistant bookkeeper for the district . “ The cost of arbitration , which the taxpayers will ultimately pay for , would certainly have taken care of salary increases that might have been awarded . ”

But after waiting at least 10 minutes past the 20-minute allotment for executive session , the employees were met with disappointment . At 10 : 25 p . m ., Board of Education Chair Susan Griffiths made her announcement : “ The Board will not be taking any further action tonight . ”

Contract negotiations will go to arbitration , with a first hearing expected around the beginning of December . Hearings are expected to last into January , with a decision coming within 60 to 90 days of the last hearing date . According to O’Connor , arbitration could cost the district up to $ 50 , 000 in legal fees . The RHAM district went to arbitration with the teaching staff contract earlier this year.