HPA President Elizabeth Montagna speaks during public comment about the wants and needs in the HPA’s next contract.
Photo credit: Holyoke Media
HOLYOKE — Members of the Holyoke Paraprofessionals Association joined the School Committee meeting on Feb. 9 to express a desire for a new contract.
HPA President Elizabeth Montagna sent the organization’s demands in bargain letter to interim Superintendent Anthony Soto, Chief of Human Resources Beth Gage and the district in December 2025.
Montagna said the letter is the first step the association must take to begin bargaining for a new contract before their current one expires at the end of June.
As of the School Committee meeting, Montagna said the HPA had yet to hear any dates for bargaining and had not heard back from the district until the first week of February, when an MTA representative reached out directly.
“While we are disappointed to not have received a written reply in almost a month and a half, we are ready to move forward in our efforts to gain a fair and equitable contract,” Montagna stated. “We are asking you as the School Committee to prioritize finalizing your bargaining team and start negotiations with us as soon as possible.”
The contract proposals are based on several rounds of meetings and conversations with every single paraprofessional in the district, according to Montagna.
Members of the HPA and HTA gather at the School Committee meeting to start the bargaining process for a new contract. HTA members, who have been negotiating a new contract for over a year, gathered to show support for the HPA.
Photo credit: Holyoke Media
The HPA also presented the School Committee with a card signed by 90% of the union declaring agreement with their platform.
“We would be happy to share our platform with you to show how united our members are,” Montagna said. “Many of our members rearranged their busy schedules, including second jobs, to be here today. As the card says, it is time to show some paras some love.”
Multiple paraprofessionals expressed their concerns, including a better wage that reflects their experiences, education and difference in their job responsibilities. They also looked for job-appropriate training so they can effectively support the diverse needs of their students.
Paraprofessional Falecia Bagg shared that she began her journey with Holyoke Public Schools in 2021 as an instructional paraprofessional. Her administrator encouraged her to pursue teaching, and she soon became a second grade teacher.
“I am grateful for the pipelines the district provides for paras who want to become teachers, however, it has not been easy,” Bagg stated. “I am currently paid long-term para [substitute] wages, but my responsibilities align with those of a full-time teacher, but my pay does not; my pay is low.”
Members of the Holyoke Teachers Association were also at the meeting to show support for its paraprofessionals. Holyoke Public Schools and the HTA have been negotiating for a new contract for over a year.
Reminder Publishing will continue to follow the negotiations and post updates as they evolve.
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