Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1297492
educators and students across the country have had a stressful start to the year is an understatement. Everyone I visit with is feeling excited that we are back in school with students, yet nervous about what the future will hold. Educators are also nervous thinking about Wyoming's budget problems. Governor Gordon has cut funding from many necessary and valuable programs that directly ben efit the people of our state and has asked all school districts to voluntarily cut ten percent from their budgets. Education Support Professionals are particularly vulnerable because of these cuts. Education Support Professionals (ESP) play an essential role in ensuring that students receive the help, support, and care they need. Many people in the community and even in the Wyoming Legislature think that an ESP is limited to being an aide, that makes copies and does recess duty. And while ESP do these things, they also do so much more. ESP are bus drivers making sure students arrive at school and get home safely, and we are custodians working to keep all facilities clean and welcoming. We are food service workers who make sure students are fed, even when schools are closed. ESP work in special education, helping teachers educate students with various disabilities, sometimes very severe. We help teach computer science skills, and we work in libraries, offices, and so much more. Universally and most importantly, as ESP, we all work to make connections with young people. ESP are not highly-paid staff, but if you ask us why we do what we do, overwhelmingly, you will hear it is because we love working with our students. Wyoming school districts employ approximately 8,000 ESP. With Governor Gordon's request that districts cut budgets, ESP are starting to think about how vulnerable we are to potentially losing the jobs that we love. ESP do not have continuing contract status, we are not tenured, and most do not work under a negotiated agreement. Our positions are fragile. I fear that laying off ESP staff will be viewed by leadership as a way to achieve that ten percent cut to budgets. I have no doubt that some members of the legislature don't see this as a problem, falsely reasoning that because schools have certified teachers, support staff are unnecessary. Teachers are working hard and doing all they can to educate students, they need and deserve support, and ESP provide that. ESP also contribute to the succe ss of our communities. We purchase groceries, go to movies, and support fundraisers. Our salaries are spent in our communities, and they serve to benefit Mainstreet businesses like barbers, restaurants, and more. If even a percentage of Wyoming ESP lose our positions, it will be yet another blow to Wyoming's battered economy. I urge Governor Gordon and our legislators to realize the importance of funding ed ucation in Wyoming. ESP are flexible and eager to help wherever we are needed. ESP give so much and often get very little in return. We are counting on Wyoming's leadership to be flexible and think outside of the box to keep our positions safe and allow us to continue helping students in Wyoming succeed. Please, use your vote to help protect ESP. Reference the Wyoming Education for Political Action Commit tee for Education (WEA-PACE) candidate endorsements to identify the legislators that will fight for adequate funding for Wyoming Education. Visit the ballot box understanding the impact that your vote can have on the next legislative session, and on the future of education in our state. If you have questions about voting to protect ESP or ways to support the candidates supporting Education, please feel fr ee to reach out to me or to WEA Government Relations Director, Tate Mullen at tmullen@wyoea.org or (307) 286-3096. Take Care, To say that Education support professionals are Vulnerable to Education Funding Cuts jcatfitz@msn.com (307) 286-4503 Christine Fitzgerald ESP Representative to the WEA Board of Directors 27