Rally In Support Of Shoreline Schools Education Support Professionals Before School Board Meeting

Paraeducators are an often-overlooked but essential part of today’s classrooms, providing critical support to teachers and students and helping schools create more inclusive learning environments. They work behind the scenes as a critical component of an effective and inclusive school environment.

Despite months of contract negotiations, no agreement has been reached yet, although negotiations continue. Before Tuesday's school board meeting, there will be a show of support rally:

When: Tuesday, September 8th @ 5:30 PM 

Where: Shoreline School District Office flagpole, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline

Public Comment: If you would like to provide written public comment in advance of the regular board meeting, you can do so by 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting, and it will be provided to the Board. Submit public comment

Education Support Professionals include school office staff, paraeducators, family advocates, nurses, security personnel (middle and high schools), career center staff (high schools), accounting, and payroll professionals.

Working alongside teachers, paraeducators assist students who need additional academic, behavioral, or personal support. Their work can include providing one-on-one instruction, helping students participate in classroom activities, and adapting lessons to meet individual learning needs.

For students with disabilities or other special needs, their responsibilities may include reinforcing skills outlined in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), modifying instructional materials, supporting communication, and providing mobility, behavioral, or emotional assistance.

By providing individualized attention and helping address diverse student needs, paraeducators allow teachers to devote more time to instruction while ensuring students have greater access to the curriculum.

We’ve reached out to Shoreline Schools for comment and will update this report when we receive a reply.

Sources:

Shoreline School District

1. Shoreline Education Support Professionals Association (SESPA) — 2023–2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement
   The primary contract governing Shoreline paraeducators, including work-year provisions, classifications, leave, professional development, and other working conditions. Shoreline Employee Contracts — SESPA agreement
2. Shoreline 2025–26 SESPA Salary Schedule and PSP
   The actual employee salary schedule—not the substitute schedule. This is the document that should be used for calculating paraeducator compensation. Shoreline Employee Contracts — 2025–26 SESPA Salary Schedule
3. Shoreline — Paraeducator Compensation and Benefits
   The district's own summary says paraeducators currently earn approximately $26.45–$28.78/hour starting and $29.89–$32.22/hour at the experienced end, receive education stipends of approximately $1,000–$2,000, and have approximately 180 school days plus paid holidays. Shoreline — We Value Our Employees
4. Shoreline — Classified Substitute Rates
   Useful for identifying the SESPA classifications, but these are substitute rates and should not be used as the regular employee salary schedule. Shoreline — Substitute Information

Edmonds School District

1. Edmonds — Classified Support Staff of Edmonds (Paraeducators), 2026–2030 Agreement
   This is the new four-year contract and the primary source for Edmonds paraeducator working conditions, classifications, work year, professional development, substitute-teacher provisions, and other contractual benefits. Edmonds — 2026–30 Paraeducator Contract
2. Edmonds — 2026–27 Classified Support Staff (Paraeducator) Salary Schedule
   This is the official salary schedule for the current school year and should be used for the Edmonds compensation calculations. Edmonds — Salary Schedules

Northshore School District

1. Northshore — 2024–2026 NSEA Educational Support Professionals Collective Bargaining Agreement
   This is the most recent full ESP contract currently posted by Northshore and contains the salary structure, work-year provisions, professional hours, leave, benefits and other ESP provisions. Northshore — Collective Bargaining / ESP Contract
2. Northshore — 2025–26 ESP Salary Schedule
   This is the latest salary schedule publicly available for the ESP bargaining unit. It is the source for the Northshore compensation figures used in the comparison. Northshore — Collective Bargaining / ESP materials
3. Northshore — August 27, 2026 announcement of new ESP agreement
   Northshore announced that ESP employees approved a new two-year agreement by a 76.87% vote. The district says the new agreement provides more competitive compensation and benefits, but the new CBA and salary schedule are not yet posted on the district's public bargaining page. Northshore — New 2026 ESP Agreement Announcement
4. Northshore — Professional Development for Paraeducators
   The district's official page describes the Fundamental Course of Study, General and Advanced Paraeducator Certificates, and professional-development funding available to paraeducators and other ESP employees. Northshore — Paraeducator Professional Development

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