We the undersigned educators, caregivers, and public school supporters urge the New York City Council to pass the proposed legislation to increase compensation for paraprofessionals. School paraprofessionals have been the victims of the city’s insistence on pattern bargaining, which provides the same percentage pay increases for all city workers. A 3% increase translates to a much higher dollar amount for a principal than it does for a paraprofessional. Over the decades, due to this broken system, the pay gap between the highest-paid principals and starting paraprofessionals has grown appallingly wide. School paraprofessionals cannot survive in New York City on a starting salary of just under $32,000.

To help right this wrong, we need this proposed legislation, which would provide an annual payment of about $10,000 to every paraprofessional.

Paraprofessionals are hardworking and dedicated school staff who work under the supervision of classroom teachers to provide essential support services, mostly to students with special needs. They play critical roles in the classroom, such as offering instructional support, helping a distraught student self-regulate, translating, feeding and assisting with toilet training. Paraprofessionals develop strong bonds with the children they serve.

We face a serious shortage of paraprofessionals in New York City public schools. Without offering fair compensation, the DOE cannot hope to retain and recruit enough paraprofessionals to fill the need.