Rockford Public Schools: Picketers to protest paraprofessional layoffs prior to Aug. 9 school board meeting

Online Staff Report

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 692 will hold an informational picket from 6:15 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 9, outside the Rockford Public School District 205 Administration Building, 201 S. Madison St., prior to the school board meeting.

The purpose is to inform the public of what AFSCME terms the “disastrous effects that proposed layoffs of paraprofessionals will have on the district’s ability to educate our children.”

Local 692 President Betty Christiansen said: “Paraprofessionals have given large concessions in return for the promise of job security. That promise has been broken and our children will suffer the consequences.”

Most paraprofessionals being laid off make less than $10 per hour and get paid only for six hours per day, even though they often work longer.

AFSCME Council 31 Staff Representative Richard Berg said, “Using paraprofessionals is a cost-effective way to educate our children.”