KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Support staff for Kalamazoo Public Schools turned out in large numbers at the district’s Board of Education meeting Thursday night, demanding salary hikes and getting a positive response from the board.
After a brief picket, they came inside and told the board they were barely getting by before the pandemic, and now with inflation, worker shortages, and increased pressures, it’s worse.
Bus drivers, para-professionals, food service workers, security, and maintenance staff are all in short supply, with them saying it’s left the remaining workers overburdened.
Board member Tandy Moore made the motion that the board consider a wage study, which would be the first step toward raising salaries and benefits.
It was approved unanimously.
Kalamazoo County has already initiated a wage study, with the primary goal of lifting all workers above living wage levels. That governmental unit is also suffering from shortages and defections in their support staff, because they can no longer compete with the private sector for workers.
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