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Date: 4/13/2022
SPRINGFIELD – A series of resolutions addressing inequitable pay for paraprofessionals and rising transportation costs took center stage during the City Council’s April 4 meeting.
Paraprofessional Resolution
Following City Councilor At-Large Jesse Lederman’s presentation of the Fair Share Amendment resolution, which would tax millionaires for funds that will benefit municipal efforts throughout the city, City Councilor At-Large Justin Hurst showcased his resolution for paraprofessional pay.
Hurst, who served as an educator and administrator for 10 years, stressed that paraprofessionals are not being compensated fairly considering the value they bring to classrooms. “Sometimes they deal with some of our most difficult students, and yet they come in every day with a smile on their face, ready to learn and ready to educate…Their work cannot be understated,” said Hurst. The councilor announced his resolution a day before Paraprofessional Appreciation Day on April 6.
After reading the resolution to the council, Ward 5 Councilor Malo Brown showcased his support for equitable paraprofessional pay. Brown discussed how growing mental health needs and paraprofessionals’ central role in raising children deserve proper compensation.
“I believe that it’s been an injustice for a long time. When it comes to fighting mental health, violence and things that afflict a lot of our youth, this is where we can actually combat it…These individuals are helping to raise our children,” said Brown.
Lederman shared that it’s been a “great honor” to work closely with paraprofessionals and learn more about their perspectives. From public rallies to comments during School Committee public speak out periods, the councilor commended the organization for assembling a proactive grassroots campaign for equitable pay during their ongoing contract negotiations.
“They have demonstrated some of the best community organizing that we have seen in this city in many years,” said Lederman.
City Councilor At-Large Tracye Whitfield stressed that it’s “not right” that many paraprofessionals do not make a sustainable wage. Whitfield advocated for the city to be more proactive in approving funds for efforts that would directly impact Springfield residents. “It is not fair they don’t make a livable wage…There’s certain times where we should stick up for individuals, not billionaires and millionaires,” said Whitfield.
The council approved the resolution in an unanimous vote.
Free Transportation Resolution
Hurst also presented a resolution that would initiate a new Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) bus pilot program. Hurst, Whitfield, Councilor At-Large Kateri Walsh, Ward 6 Councilor Victor Davila and Ward 8 Councilor Zaida Govan connected with the public during an April 1 outreach effort that featured the councilors riding alongside patrons on a PVTA bus.
If approved by Mayor Domenic Sarno, the pilot program would make the B7, the G2 and the B6 bus routes free for the next two years. The program would roughly cost around $3.4 million and would be funded from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Hurst shared that his ultimate goal for the program is the creation of free public transportation across the city.
“Making these three bus lines free would benefit residents in all eight wards of the city, who rely upon public transportation as a means of mobility, and serve as a way for the city of Springfield to utilize ARPA money to have an instantaneous impact on the residents,” said Hurst. The councilor shared that similar programs continue to run in cities throughout the state, including in Boston, Worcester and Lawrence.
Hurst said he is referring the resolution to the Finance Subcommittee meeting to “refute some of the misinformation” about the subject matter. Davila, Walsh and Whitfield expressed their support for Hurst’s resolution, with Walsh sharing the idea to run more PVTA outreach efforts in the near future. Whitfield stressed that more programs like the proposed pilot program need to be implemented within the city.
“I am very disappointed in the administration because whenever we ask for any type of funding to help the most disenfranchised population in the city of Springfield, we get a fast no…When it comes to making the rich richer, this is not how the administration is supposed to work,” said Whitfield.
The council sent the resolution to the Finance Subcommittee in a unanimous vote.