Hundreds of education support professionals from Aurora Public Schools gathered at a recent school board meeting to request the right to hold a union election and negotiate a contract. The group included nutrition workers, paraeducators, bus staff, custodians, and preschool facilitators.
Brandi Edmonds, an EA Tech at Clara Brown, spoke about her dedication to Aurora’s students but described being the only paraeducator for 200 students and lacking 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, said she feels powerless over decisions about 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 as a custodian and paraeducator in Aurora Public Schools for two decades, described experiencing harassment, discrimination, and retaliation when speaking up. “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 highlighted concerns about safety raised by drivers and paras. She noted that those who speak out are often dismissed or labeled as troublemakers. “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, described financial difficulties caused by her $1,300 monthly salary. “No estamos pidiendo lujos. Estamos pidiendo la posibilidad de vivir con dignidad mientras servimos a la comunidad que amamos (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 for seven years with a terminal medical condition, described being unable to afford medication despite having district health insurance. She told board members that she had to move back in with her mother and take on a second job. “As an adult, not being able to afford to live is humiliating,” she said.
Preschool facilitator Kristine West spoke about classified staff lacking both a transparent pay scale and representation during disciplinary actions. She explained that unclear policies leave workers fearful in situations that should focus on child safety. “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 called on the board to establish a policy granting them union recognition rights. Marceline summarized their request: “We need the right to a union, we need the right to bargain for a better district for all.”
