SUPPORT Fair Pay and Benefits for Education Support Professionals!

As your constituent, I urge you to cosponsor the Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights (S. Res. 158/H. Res. 297). Our schools could not operate without the education support professionals (ESPs) and paraprofessionals who transport students to school and extracurricular activities, keep buildings and grounds safe and clean, prepare and serve healthy meals, keep computers running, and perform other work that makes the school day happen. Yet, many education support professionals are barely getting by. One-third make $25,000 or less a year and one-quarter rely on assistance programs to feed their families. This disregards how vital their work is and discourages people from becoming education support professionals. The Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights would help ESPs get the living wages, good benefits, and safe working conditions they deserve for helping students grow, learn, and thrive. The resolution recognizes them as crucial members of the school and campus community whose partnership with teachers creates nurturing environments for students. The resolution calls for: -- Livable, competitive wages, and access to benefits, including health care and paid leave; -- The supplies, resources, and training they need for their jobs; -- A meaningful voice in workplace policies and the right to negotiate for better working conditions; -- The dignity of safe, healthy, and adequately staffed workplaces; and -- Year-round job security and opportunities for growth. Please help the 2.2 million education support professionals in public schools and the 750,000 on college and university campuses gain the respect and safe working conditions they deserve and the wages and benefits they need to take care of their families by co-sponsoring S. Res. 158 and H. Res. 297.