Gloucester Association of
Educational Paraprofessionals

Resolution to Endorse the Education Support Professional (ESP) Bill of Rights and Bargaining Platform
Adopted Unanimously December 19, 2022

Whereas, the the Education Support Professionals who work in the Gloucester Public Schools play critically important roles in our students’ education, which include providing individual and small-group instruction to students with disabilities, assisting in the classrooms, supporting English Language Learners, and performing a myriad education support functions;

Whereas, the Education Support Professionals who work in the Gloucester Public Schools believe that we deserve to earn a living wage;

Whereas, the Education Support Professionals who work in the Gloucester Public Schools believe we are vital participants in a child’s education and deserve to be recognized as educators by all parties; and

Whereas, the Education Support Professionals who work in the Gloucester Public Schools believe that we deserve an affordable education to strengthen our careers;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Gloucester Association of Educational Paraprofessionals are committed to the goals of the Massachusetts Teachers Association PreK-12 Education Support Professional Bill of Rights, which are:

A Living Wage
Affordable Health Insurance
Health and Safety
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Job Security
Recognition as Educators
Affordable Education to Strengthen Careers

2023
Bargaining Platform

A LIVING WAGE FOR ALL ESPs
In Essex County, a living wage for a single person with no children is almost $50,000 (source, MIT Living Wage Calculator). Gloucester Education Support Professionals earn just $22,000 to about $28,000 per year.
Gloucester ESPs deserve a starting salary of at least $40,000 and a clear path to earning a living wage!
Gloucester ESPs deserve to be compensated fairly for all time spent performing additional duties, such as serving as substitutes.

RESPECT AS EDUCATORS
Education Support Professionals deserve to be treated with the same respect as other educators and to be compensated fairly for advancing their own education, including professional development. Under the current contract, a Gloucester ESP earns just $10 each year for every 10 hours of professional development they complete, up to a maximum of $300 total.
Gloucester ESPs deserve to be compensated fairly for professional development as well as earning advanced degrees as other educators, including Gloucester teachers, do.
Gloucester ESPs deserve equal pay for equal work, including professional development, curriculum work, and summer school they perform alongside other educators who are paid more for their time.
Gloucester ESPs deserve access to training outside of the district and relevant and meaningful professional development opportunities.

AFFORDABLE EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN OUR CAREERS
Despite our incredibly low wages, many Education Support Professionals manage to earn college degrees. At the same time, many ESPs carry significant amounts of student debt for themselves and their families.
Gloucester ESPs deserve tuition reimbursement to make earning a degree more affordable while learning new content and skills to improve the education of Gloucester students.