×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Service Personnel Need Raise, Too

Editor, News-Register:

As president of the West Virginia School Service Personnel Association, and a school secretary for 40 years, I write this letter on behalf of the hard-working school service personnel in West Virginia. School service personnel were not included in the proposed two percent pay increase in the governor’s State of the State address on Wednesday, Feb. 8. While the proposed pay increase for classroom teachers is a welcome indication of the governor’s willingness to support educators, I wish all education employees would be included.

School service personnel play a vital role in the daily operation of a school day and beyond. Our state’s highly-trained bus operators transport students safely to and from schools. Classroom aides assist teachers and students in the classroom, including one-on-one attention to students with special needs. School cooks serve breakfasts, lunches and oftentimes grab bags for children to take home after school. Custodians and maintenance employees are responsible for cleaning and maintaining all education buildings in each county. The duties of secretaries and office staff have changed over the past 40 years of my employment. Improved technology has made our jobs somewhat easier, but also adds even more responsibilities to our normal daily routines. School secretaries ensure front offices are running smoothly and develop positive relationships with staff and more importantly, students and parents. School service personnel play such important roles in the education of our schoolchildren, we deserve the two percent salary increase just like classroom teachers. My request is that all school employees be included in the governor’s proposed two percent pay raise. With PEIA benefit cuts looming, service personnel like all state employees will be facing more out-of-pocket costs and higher premiums.

We are all aware that WV is in a huge budget crisis, but if pay increases are to be granted, school service personnel should be included. School service personnel are important too.

Linda Thompson, president

West Virginia School Service Personnel Association

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today