HARTFORD—Local community support for the paraprofessionals working in Fairfield Public Schools has been unprecedented since they rallied and spoke out at the district's Board of Education meeting on November 12. However, these undervalued professionals remain committed to improving the experience for all of Fairfield's schoolchildren by enhancing training and raising economic standards for the district's paraeducators.

Members of the CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 Chapter that represents the district's 230 paraeducators are planning another rally to continue calling attention to inequities that threaten to drive paraprofessionals out of the district. They will be demonstrating tonight at 7:00 p.m. in front of the district's central office, and then speak-out at the Board of Education's meeting, scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

"It's important for the Board and the community to know the value of paraprofessionals, especially for parents of special needs students like myself" said Tara Montaine-Varga, a paraprofessional and mother of three children who have attended schools in the district. "I plan to speak out so everyone knows how vital the paras who care for my son each and every day are to his educational success" Montaine-Varga continued.

More than a dozen members of the public offered personal testimonials on the value of the district's paraprofessionals during the "comments and petitions" portion of the November Board meeting. Many statements focused on the inconsistency between the district's reputation for high quality special education services and the reality of the low wages and lack of access to healthcare faced by the paraeducators who work one-on-one with special needs students.

"From teachers, to parents, to education advocates, they have all rallied behind us and our efforts to raise standards" said Darlene Trupp, the Vice-President of the Union's Chapter representing the district's paraprofessionals. "Our hope is that it moves the Board of Ed to take a hard look at the fact that Fairfield is at the bottom of the list when it comes to investing in its paras" Trupp continued, referring to the ten surrounding districts that offer higher wages for their paraeducators.

CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 represents 25,000 active and retired public sector workers serving in state and municipal agencies, as well as local school districts across Connecticut. Visit www.seiu2001.org online for more information about how its member paraeducators are working to improve public education for our children, our families, and our communities.