I am a very recently retired 40-year public and private school music/special education instructor (Pre-K to Associates Degree levels experience) who worked during the past eight years as an instructional assistant at Greenfield High School. I will address the wage proposal for Instructional Assistants at GHS.
The Instructional Assistants at Greenfield High School are in most cases highly over qualified for the teaching descriptions they hold. All these IAs which I have worked with are dedicated to doing whatever they can to help Greenfield’s special needs students. This is difficult and challenging work and they are making a difference in the culture of our community. I was honored to work with this dedicated group!
I encourage the citizens and leaders of the City of Greenfield to support the modest package currently under consideration. This package after Massachusetts minimum wage raise in 2020 would still maintain many I.A.s at 50 cents below minimum wage but would be better than the current rate which is about $3 below.
GHS is a bright spot in Franklin County! Do the right thing and support our community!
Ted Wirt
Greenfield