Tillamook School District has failed to negotiate and settle a contract for the classified employees, and the Oregon School Employees Association has filed another Unfair Labor Practices complaint. Classified employees drive the school buses, cook school meals, keep a clean and safe school environment, and work directly in the classrooms with some of our most vulnerable kids. They are suffering. In turn, they are very worried about the impact this is having on students.
At the October school board meeting, statements were read aloud to a packed room. They deserve to be heard about how they and their families have been affected by the contract not being settled. Here are their stories:
“My name is Myra McCormick and I have worked as an educational assistant for 29 years, and I’m not even making $20 an hour. If I didn’t have the income from my husband, I would not be able to survive working this job. There is constant turnover of staff which is not best for students. In all the years I have worked, I have not seen the level of disrespect from our district that is currently occurring. Instead of negotiating with the team and union, we receive letters from the administration discussing the contract. I would like the team to come together and negotiate a fair and equitable contract.”
“I am going to start by saying I love my job, the people I work with, and the students I get to help day in and day out. However, with the amount of money I make, I cannot afford to live on my own. After my mom passed, I was now a single income. It was a drastic change and a major eye opener. I had to get a summer job just to make rent and the utilities and that was about it. I haven’t had any extra for a while. I don’t have savings, or an emergency fund. I had to move out of my house and in with family, placing me in the homeless bracket. What I make a month is barely getting me by and most of my bills are in collection due to lack of money to pay them.”
“I feel like the biggest impact all of this is having is seeing the people I work with go through so much stress. No one should have to work two full time jobs to support their family, it’s not okay. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to be paid a living wage. I just started my 16th year working in the district and I don’t believe I’m making what I’m worth. I know co-workers who have worked 20+ years who aren’t making much more than I am. It’s not okay. None of this is okay. We are asking for a fair wage, because we work hard to provide what our students need every single day.”
“My name is Tiffany Bofill and I’m a dedicated special education assistant working two full-time jobs to make ends meet. While I love what I do and have no plans to leave the district, the reality is that working seven days a week means sacrificing precious family time, church life, and the opportunity to build healthy relationships. My days come and go, and I often miss out on the important moments my kids experience without me. I’m not asking for luxury; I’m asking for a wage that reflects the work we do. Without a pay increase, you’re asking me to make impossible choices – to give up even more of my life just to survive. My students need me, and my kids need me too. Help me balance both. Understand my situation, and let’s work together to ensure I can continue doing the job I love, without sacrificing my well-being or my family.”
“From a concerned classified staff member who has been with TDS9 for nine years now. A fair contract would allow me to feel safer and confident in my workplace. Without this contract I would have to leave my workplace and find employment that values my experience and work ethic.”
“I’ve worked for this district for more than a decade. I care about what I do, I am really good at what I do, I care about our kids, and I care about the quality of workers that interact with our kids and the quality of life that those workers are offered. For me, this contract would show that TSD9 also cares about our kids and about the people who loyally dedicate their lives to working with our kids. Without a dignified wage, and a clear dedication to fair labor practices as is required by the law, TSD9 will continue to lose the most experienced and qualified among us or continue to take advantage of those who choose to stay for the kids, regardless of how poorly we are treated. Please, take a stand, and do what’s right.”
“Truly and honestly, I am so grateful for the community that I have at Liberty Elementary. I care for everyone in this building. I take the community aspect to heart. I want us all to be taken care of, listened to, actually treated like valued humans who deserve to no longer suffer. Suffering from a lack of wages, suffering from being overworked and underappreciated. We don’t want pizza, donuts, parties or even classified appreciation week. We want a contract, a lawful, fair, and respectful contract.”
“With this contract I would be able to provide more snacks for my child’s classroom and for the classroom that I work in to ensure that the students are having the best day learning on a full stomach. Also, the need of having access to IEP, I would be able to provide better learning environments to help the children I work with succeed.”