Amherst, regional school boards seek contract mediation after pushback on paraeducator pay
Published: 7/11/2021 8:09:38 PM
AMHERST — The Amherst and Amherst-Pelham Regional school committees are seeking mediation to reach a new contract with the union representing teachers, paraprofessionals and clerical staff in the district.
Mediation is being pursued following the expiration of the previous contract on June 30 and after a failure to make progress toward an agreement on wages and salary increases with the Amherst Pelham Education Association, according to Allison McDonald, chairwoman of both committees.
“Our groups have met multiple times but have not been able to make progress toward an agreement, and the Regional School Committee made the decision on Thursday, July 1, to seek mediation,” McDonald wrote in a letter published in the Gazette.