To all classified employees at SUSD and parents,
On Wednesday afternoon, the chapter’s executive board and I met with Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Stevenson to discuss the district’s proposed reduction of hours.
I am happy to report that the district will no longer be reducing hours for current TK and Special Ed paraeducators. All current TK and Special Ed paraeducators will keep their current number of hours. All new incoming TK paraeducators and Special Ed paraeducators will work 4.5 and 6-hour shifts, respectively. There will be no cut in hours for all current TK and Special Ed paraeducators.
As many of you may know, the writing paraeducators were specially funded positions. Unfortunately, the district made a mistake when informing us that the writing paraeducators will be subject to a reduction in hours. Since the grant funding has expired, the district will be eliminating those 21 writing paraeducator positions. However, the district has agreed to work with CSEA Chapter #112 to reassign all the writing paraeducator positions to vacant TK and Special Ed Para positions. I will be available to all those affected to assist with the transition into these new assignments.
CSEA and SUSD will be memorializing these terms in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). We hope to have this finished as soon as possible. When it is done, the chapter will hold an informational/ratification meeting. Please keep an eye out for an email from the chapter in the next couple of weeks.
I first want to thank the Saugus #112 E-Board. Without their dedication and unwavering commitment, none of this would have been possible. Delmy, Sylvia, Antonio, Marco, Kim, and Barbara have been working around the clock, doing everything in their power to ensure these cuts didn’t occur. I don’t think a single one of them has gotten a full night's sleep in the past week.
I would also like to thank all of you who signed the petition, mobilized your colleagues, spread the word on social media, and stood in solidarity with your fellow union brothers and sisters. As your union representative, it has brought me so much pride. It is truly an honor to represent you all. You have demonstrated what being part of a union is all about. When we stand together and make our voices heard, we can win.
I would also like to thank the SUSD parents who have taken an active role in ensuring the district continues to provide their children with a high quality education. I hope to see CSEA, STA and SUSD parents continue to work together. I believe we all have a shared interest in improving things around the district as all the issues we are currently facing are intertwined. We should continue to keep an open line of communication and use our collective power to enact real change.
It goes without saying that this has been a brutal week for all of us. I hope this news brings you some comfort going into the weekend. I look forward to celebrating with you all at the next chapter meeting.
In solidarity,
Elijah Chesler
CSEA Labor Relations Representative