AMHERST — The Regional School Committee is making a proposal to the union representing teachers, paraprofessional and clerical staff that it is calling a “last best offer,” providing what it said is a living wage for paraeducators and fair and competitive compensation for teachers, and restructuring the compensation grid for clerical staff.

“We believe our last best offer provides an excellent compensation package that keeps our employees among the highest paid in the area,” reads a statement that went to the community Tuesday, in both English and Spanish, from committee member Allison McDonald. “We are hopeful that this will bring our protracted negotiations to resolution at our next meeting on May 24.”

The message elaborates on what is being put forward to the Amherst Pelham Education Association in the proposal after six months of negotiations and now nine months of mediation. The offer includes costs of living adjustments of 9% over the three-year contract, or 3% each year, bumping minimum wage for paraeducators from $17.13 per hour to $18.33 per hour, with an additional 3.5% increase for paraeducators at the top of the pay scale, and reclassifying clerical staff through an additional 5-10% pay increase for those in the lowest-paid category.

“Our proposal addresses the concerns expressed by the APEA as well as by many of you,” the committee wrote.

The message notes that the offer sets a minimum wage for paraeducators at $18.33, which is higher than the $16.28 living wage for Hampshire County, along with a salary schedule with annual seniority increases of 3.5% to 4.0%. The 9% over three years is equivalent to or higher than the cost-of-living-adjustments agreed to by teachers and staff in South Hadley and Northampton.

Under this proposal, teachers with the most years of experience, representing more than half of the teachers at the regional, Amherst and Pelham schools, will be the highest paid teachers. Clerical staff in the lowest-paid category will get an additional 5% to 10% increase this year.

The APEA’s most recent statement, issued on April 29, came in advance of the successful vote on the new elementary school.

“The APEA (Amherst Pelham Education Association) supports full funding for education in Amherst, including fair and equitable wages for staff, full staffing that meets the educational needs of our students, and safe and healthy buildings.”

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