Letter to the editor: Who’s Supporting the Supporters? A Call to Action for Vicksburg Warren School District

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The following Letter to the Editor was submitted to the Vicksburg Daily News under the condition of anonymity. While the identity of the author has been verified by our editorial team, we honor their request to withhold their name due to the sensitive nature of the concerns raised. The Vicksburg Daily News remains committed to providing a platform for open and honest dialogue, and we encourage all residents to share their thoughts, experiences, and perspectives on the issues that affect our community.

Below is their submission in its entirety.

In every classroom across the Vicksburg Warren School District, there stands a silent hero—one who comforts anxious students, manages behavior, wipes tears, teaches reading skills, assists with special needs, supervises recess, and so much more. These are our assistant teachers, the backbone of classroom support. Yet, these dedicated professionals remain overlooked, underpaid, and unheard.

According to the district’s payroll schedule, assistant teachers will only be paid for four work days at the end of August. That’s right—four days’ worth of pay to survive an entire month. Their next full paycheck won’t arrive until the end of September. That’s nearly two months with barely any income. No groceries, no rent, no gas, no school supplies for their own children. How are they expected to live?

Many assistant teachers have voiced their concerns repeatedly to district leadership, including the superintendent, only to be met with silence. For years, they’ve asked for fair treatment—not even more pay, just timely pay. While others within the district enjoy fully funded travel, professional perks, and generous compensation, the assistants—those who are molding minds and managing classrooms—are left to scrape by or go without.

This isn’t just unfair—it’s inhumane.

The Reality

• Assistant teachers are hourly employees, and when school begins late in the month, their pay reflects only those few days.
• There is no transitional income provided to help them adjust after summer, even though most are returning staff.
• Unlike salaried employees, assistants do not get paid time off during breaks, and yet they are expected to return with full energy and commitment.

Why It Matters

Without assistant teachers, many classrooms would be unsafe, unstructured, and unsupported. They are essential to the success of students—especially in special education and early learning classrooms. When you shortchange them, you shortchange the very children we say we prioritize.

These individuals don’t work for glory. They work for the love of education and the students they serve. But love does not pay bills. Dedication doesn’t put gas in the tank. Passion doesn’t keep the lights on.

A Call to Action

We call on the Vicksburg Warren School District Board, Superintendent, and community stakeholders to do better. This is not a budget issue—it’s a values issue.

Here’s what can be done:

1. Adjust the pay calendar to ensure assistants receive a livable check at the start of the school year.
2. Offer a start-of-year advance or prorated pay to provide income continuity.
3. Acknowledge the concerns brought by assistants—respond, involve them in planning, and treat them like professionals.
4. Reallocate travel or administrative perks to fund real support for the people who support our students daily.

Let us remember: our schools are only as strong as the people who run them—and assistant teachers are the heartbeat of that system. We cannot continue to ignore their needs.

If you’re a parent, speak up. If you’re a teacher, stand with them. If you’re in leadership—listen.

The time to act is now.

Support the supporters. Because they’ve been supporting us all along.

The Vicksburg Daily News is committed to telling the whole story regardless of who is involved or who they know. Sometimes that makes people angry, especially those who feel they are above the news.

Send your point of view to info@vicksburgnews.com.

We look forward to hearing from you.