By Kathy Chavez
Albuquerque Educational Assistants Association President
Legislative Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith says New Mexico needs to prepare for hard times. I've got news: classified employees who work in New Mexico's schools are already there, and we're hurting.
If we need to prepare for hard times, it's important to pay school employees enough so they can make ends meet. This is an issue of survival.
Classified employees aren't teachers, principals or administrators. We have job titles like education assistants, maintenance, secretaries, clerks, custodians, food service, warehouse and bus drivers. We're dedicated. Imagine your school functioning without us.
Classified employees are having hard times because lawmakers haven't passed legislation which results in more hourly pay.
Legislators and the governor gave teachers and principals salary increases of from 20 percent to 40 percent over the last three years. That's a good thing. But classified employees were excluded.
Starting pay for many classified employees has been stagnant at the state-mandated $6 per hour. That's about to change. In 2004, legislators also raised education assistant (EA) minimum pay to $10.14 an hour. We're thankful for improvements. But imagine a single parent raising a child on these earnings.
Now comes Sen. Smith, D-Deming, with a proposed 2 percent pay increase. What? Last year, lawmakers had a $750 million surplus. This year, they have a $370 million surplus. A billion dollar surplus over two years. These are hard times?
For teachers and principals, 2 percent will be a nice raise. Teachers who are paid the state-mandated $50,000 will receive $1,000. Principals paid the mandated $80,000 will receive $1,600.
For classified employees, 2 percent won't be so nice because our hourly pay is low. Beginning secretaries, custodians and maintenance employees who are paid $6 an hour will receive 12 cents an hour more. Education assistants paid $10.14 will receive 20 cents.
Two percent equals 12 to 27 cents more an hour for many classified employees. That's $163 to $319 more a year before taxes, health insurance and retirement deductions.
Two percent won't cover our increased living costs. Those who can afford health insurance have seen premiums increase by at least 3 percent. Food prices are up more than 5 percent, gasoline prices are higher, and utility bills are up.
Smith could help us by earmarking a 10 percent raise for classified employees. That would amount to $1 more for someone earning $10 an hour.
It'll cost $40 million to give classified employees a 10 percent raise. That's half the $83 million increase proposed for Medicaid. If legislators can't make us more of a priority than Medicaid, then they can pay for this with the $370 million surplus.
Legislators should also raise EA minimum pay. EAs help teachers and principals implement education programs in the classroom. As a condition of employment, the state Education Department now requires EAs to have a license. They secure this license by passing a comprehensive test, or passing college courses.
Most EAs work with special-education students. If you're a parent of a special-needs child, you know how important it is to have someone who is trained and willing to take on the critical needs of our children. But legislators think EAs can live on $10.14 an hour, or $12,000 a year.
Lawmakers should raise the $10.14 to $12.68 for beginning EAs. Also, they need to pass a minimum of $16.91 for EAs who have 45 college credits, and a minimum of $21.13 for EAs with 91 credits, or a degree. Higher rates will help improve classroom quality.
The new EA rates will cost $16 million. Sen. Smith is proposing $17 million more for jails. Instead, imagine the benefits of using prison money to improve classroom quality for special-needs children. If lawmakers can't prioritize students before jails, then they can pay for this with the $370 million surplus.
Finally, I want to thank Sen. Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, for supporting a 10 percent raise for classified employees. Also, we're indebted to Reps. Kiki Saavedra and Rick Miera, D-Albuquerque, for agreeing to sponsor a bill to raise EA minimum pay.
I hope other lawmakers will listen. It's time we addressed the dire economic conditions facing classified employees.
Kathy Chavez is vice president of the American Federation of Teachers and executive vice president of the union's organization in New Mexico.
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