Several teachers, parents and students spoke out in favor of the Naperville Education Support Professionals Association this week as the union negotiates a new contract with Naperville School District 203.
The contract, which was last ratified in 2021, expired June 30.
The Naperville Education Support Professionals Association, which is also known as NESPA, covers a wide range of full-time and part-time staff throughout the district such as secretarial and clerical employees, health technicians, receptionists, registrars, document services support, assistants and paraprofessionals, auditorium managers, campus supervisors, technology support associates and media specialists.
“NESPA members are driven by their dedication and devotion to the schools they support,” Heidi Ruppenthal, support staff at Scott Elementary School, said during Monday’s school board meeting. “I am so very proud of what I do. … Sadly, we do not feel we are valued by this district.”
NESPA members make up about 25% of the district’s total staff and contribute to its success and reputation as a top-tiered district, Ruppenthal said. But it also seems harder and harder to fill those NESPA positions, which is likely due to low wages, lack of trainings and the changing trends in education, she said. The amount of students requiring support has increased, but the staff has not, she said.
“We are compensated so poorly that many of us have to work two to three jobs just to make ends meet,” Ruppenthal said. “Yet our administrators are in the top 4% of salaries in Illinois school districts.”
Ruppenthal, who is in her 25th year, said she earns $21.62 an hour.
“I think that’s shameful,” she said. “We are such an affluent district. … I feel that every contract I’ve gone through, the membership of NESPA has been wounded more and more.”
Phoebe Conner, a learning behavior specialist in Naperville North High School’s special education department, said the employees need livable wages that accurately reflect what the employees do.
“Naperville 203 should be leading other districts in support staff wages, knowing that this not only directly impacts the lives of our staff but it ultimately directly impacts the lives of our students,” Conner said.
Lisa Shamrock, a French teacher at Naperville North High School, said union members serve many roles that keep the schools running. She said NESPA staff run the testing center for students to make up exams before and after school and during lunch. They ensure there are substitutes when needed and order workbooks and supplies. They also field questions from administration, certified staff, students and parents, she said.
“Many NESPA members have advanced degrees and years of experience in the district,” she said. “They work hard every day supporting and enriching the lives of the students, parents and staff in District 203.”
Shamrock said to retain experienced staff and attract new staff, the district needs to prioritize its employees.
“I urge the board to raise wages in the next contract for NESPA employees beyond the pitiful and frankly embarrassing increases they have received in the past,” Shamrock said. “Our schools would not be able to open their doors each day without the service, dedication and professionalism of NESPA staff.”
The last contract, which was approved in December 2021, included a one-time $1,000 bonus and an annual $1-an-hour pay raise. The contract was approved after several months of negotiations that required the assistance of a federal mediator.
The 2021 contract, which was retroactive to July 1, ran through June 30, 2024. It also included five additional sick days for the 2021-2022 school year, extra compensation for employees who work lunch duty or ride the bus with students who need extra support and increased new technology or initiative training.
The latest contract negotiations are ongoing.
“Negotiations between the district and NESPA began in the spring and have been ongoing in an effort to reach a mutually beneficial agreement,” Lisa Xagas, the District 203 assistant superintendent for strategy and engagement, said in an email. “During this time, our support staff are continuing to work under the terms of the existing contract as discussions progress. We are grateful for the contributions this work group makes to our district and look forward to reaching an agreement.”
Both parents and students offered their accolades about school employees to support the union during negotiations.
Lily Goodfellow, a graduate of Naperville Central High School, said her family moved to Naperville because of the district’s reputation helping students with disabilities.
“I am able to attend college classes on my own because of the help I received from assistants,” said Goodfellow, who has Down syndrome. “They helped me learn independence I need to be a student and an employee. My teachers were able to give my assistants instructions on how best to help me. I hope that District 203 continues to see the importance of paraprofessionals and how much they help make special education successful.”
