FEATURE
Back to school
The essential work of classified school employees have made in-person instruction and school reopenings possible again across California.
by David Ngô
Leticia Orozco and Sal Chavarrin of Franklin-McKinley Chapter 502, custodians at Meadows Elementary
First came lockdowns then distance learning, modified in-person learning, and virtual graduations. All the while, classified staff have served on the front lines keeping students learning, fed and safe. By now, we all know better than to say the 2021-22 school year will return to normal.
From office staff scrambling to set up safety protocols to custodial teams sanitizing entire schools, the hardships and challenges of the past 18 months has amplified what it means to be a classified employee.
“Classified staff are always the first to see what else they can do to provide additional support to their colleagues or to one of the families in our community,” said Dr. Roxane Fuentes, superintendent of the Berryessa Union School District, which employs about 220 classified employees.
“And we certainly saw that scale up during COVID. You start to hear those personal stories of struggle within the membership of the staff as well as the students and families we’re serving.”
“Our classified employees pivoted, stepped up and helped in so many ways.”
- Karla Gould, personnel director for Los Angeles Unified
Without the efforts of classified staff, schools would never have been able to welcome back students.
For many districts, the contributions of bus drivers, nutrition workers, maintenance specialists, clerical personnel, and other support staff has made in-person instruction a reality again.
“Our classified employees pivoted, stepped up and helped out in so many ways,” said Karla Gould, personnel director for Los Angeles Unified, California’s largest school district that employs nearly 30,000 classified employees. “I am proud that so many willingly worked beyond their traditional roles to meet every challenge from the first day of the shutdown through the return to school.”
Rona Tolentino of Milpitas Chapter 281, a secretary at Milpitas Unified
Adrian Perez-Esparza of Milpitas Chapter 281, a grounds/bus driver at Milpitas Unified
There are many stories to tell, but at the end of the day, one truth has become absolute: without classified staff, there would have been no return to school.
For many CSEA members, especially those who risked exposure showing up for work, supporting their beloved students isn’t just part of the job, it’s part of their calling.
“All paraprofessionals stepped up and said we will be there for our students to make them feel safe and comfortable being back in in-person instruction with their peers,” said June Walker of Stockton Chapter 318, a special education assistant with Stockton Unified. “We will continue to provide positive instruction through learning.”
"We will continue to provide positive instruction through learning.”
- June Walker, special education assistant with Stockton Chapter 318
Despite having education’s public spotlight ever shining on administrators and certificated staff, classified workers have undoubtedly been the heartbeat of their school communities.
Stories of custodians helping staff at COVID-19 testing sites. Office workers acting as translators and bus drivers becoming meal couriers. Classified employees may have been overshadowed in years past but not this year.
Today, the behind-the-scenes work of classified school employees have finally been pushed to the forefront of education.
June Walker, a special education assistant with Stockton Chapter 318
Claudia Herrera, an office secretary with Milpitas Chapter 281
“Our classified staff are as critical as any other staff member in a school district. Our school systems wouldn't function,” Fuentes said. “Everyone has a key role to keep our schools moving, from custodial and food service to instructional support staff. They’re essential to everything we do pre-pandemic and post.”
While facing yet another unpredictable school year, one sentiment promises to ring true for administrators, students and teachers that will be surely written into the history books: you can always count on classified staff when the going gets tough.
“My perspective for our classified workforce since the pandemic has only increased my admiration for the dedication and commitment of this group of employees,” Gould admitted. “Since joining Los Angeles Unified three decades ago, I have witnessed how absolutely essential support workers are in so many capacities.”
