Altoona Area School District, support staff union discuss contract

District, union may soon reach agreement

The Altoona Area School District and the Altoona Area Education Support Professionals of Pennsylvania may soon reach an agreement on a new contract once leadership from both sides are able to meet, district officials said.

According to Superintendent Brad Hatch, the discussions began about midwinter last year. Union representatives weren't available over the summer, and both sides weren't able to meet until the end of August.

In September, union members began speaking publicly during school board meetings, advocating for "a living wage" and reading letters of support from district teachers.

During Monday's school board meeting, union member Regina Schobel said the district's educational support professionals are not compensated fairly for the work they do.

"We are expected to bring professional degree-level expertise to our classrooms, but we're being compensated less than entry-level positions at local gas stations and fast food chains," Schobel said, adding that because pay is "insultingly low," they're facing severe staffing shortages.

Jolene Betar, another educational support professional, read a letter of support from an Altoona Area Junior High School teacher to the board.

In the letter, the teacher said educational support professionals play "an essential role in the success, well-being and overall daily operation at our school."

"They are indispensable to a thriving school community," the teacher wrote with regard to the district's educational support professionals.

Hatch acknowledged the educational support professionals as an "invaluable" group of employees who "can't overemphasize the value they bring to our classrooms."

According to Hatch, the district has offered "a very fair compensation package" that included "significant salary increases" and an increase in benefits. Reaching a new deal is simply a matter of getting together to iron out the details, he said.

Despite addressing the board each month, the union has not given the district any tentative meeting dates to do that just yet, Hatch said, noting the district is ready and willing to meet with the union leadership at any point.

"We've made it very clear to your representation that we are available any day that you folks are available," Hatch said to the union members in attendance during Monday's school board meeting. "We appreciate everything you do."

In response to Hatch, a union member said they're trying to get a majority and will be in contact with the district soon.

"As we've said multiple times, we're available. You tell us when you're available," Hatch said.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.