Several classified employees and school support staff told the Wenatchee School District board on Oct. 28 that they do not have an agreed contract for the 2025-26 school year and urged the board to press district cabinet to negotiate.

Chris Riewald, who said he works in special programs at the district office, told the board that "classified staff here at Wenatchee School District still does not have an agreed upon contract for our 2526 academic year." He said classified employees 94 secretaries, office managers and paraeducators 94 are essential to operations and that low pay is worsening retention.

Why it matters: The district's classified staff perform medical and behavioral duties in classrooms, run front-office functions and provide student supports. High turnover, they said, raises costs and undermines continuity for students.

In public comment, Lincoln Elementary parent and paraeducator Heidi Neece described hands-on medical work in her classroom and asked for pay that matches the responsibilities. "We are instructed to teach each child to their ability," she said, and added that Lincoln has no full-time nurse, which increases demands on classified staff.

Paraprofessional Amy Wilbright described repeated assaults on staff and urged the board not to treat paraprofessionals as "numbers on your spreadsheet." "Every time, I come back to work the very next day with the same level of love, respect, and compassion," she said, and asked the board when the district would follow neighboring districts in raising pay.

Speakers emphasized process and next steps rather than making new policy motions at the meeting. Riewald said bargaining leaders had been asked to take the proposal to the board; board members clarified that they cannot participate in active negotiations but can receive public comment and consider information provided by staff.

What staff said: Several speakers referred to a meeting or bargaining session that would continue separately; the transcript records that a staff member named Kelly indicated she would take the proposal to the board.

Bottom line: Classified employees asked the board to review the bargaining proposal with district leadership, pointed to retention and safety concerns tied to pay, and requested transparency about the timeline for negotiations. The board did not take formal action on contracts during the meeting.