For Immediate Release
November 7, 2013
Contact:
Blanca Gallegos
213-387-8393, ext. 219
213-500-9594 (cell)
Terry Carter
213-387-8393, ext. 239
213-700-5617 (cell)
Sacramento, CA—Cafeteria Workers, Campus Security Officers, and other dedicated education workers traveled to Sacramento today to urge the California State Board of Education to develop clear policy governing the Local Control Funding Formula that will ensure full funding for essential student services.
“Nearly half of our members are parents or guardians of school-age children,” said SEIU Local 99 Executive Director Courtni Pugh. “We are excited to see the Local Control Funding Formula implemented and we strongly agree that English learners, low-income students, and foster youth often have greater educational needs and should receive additional services. We also believe that there are certain services that every child should have regardless of their academic needs.”
While student educational needs can vary by school site, Local 99 members make sure that all students have clean classrooms, sanitary restrooms, healthy meals, safe and on-time bus rides, safe playgrounds, up-to-date technology, and school advocates who connect with their parents.
“When a gunman attacked our local community college last year, 1,100 students were arriving at my middle school directly across the street from the college. We went into full lockdown and I had to make sure that every student was safe,” said Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District Campus Security Officer Chancy Jones before the Board today. “That’s the kind of battle zone that makes the nightly news. But it’s the smaller things, too. One boy was constantly truant, so I visited his home and learned he was dealing with some big family issues. I made sure I had some kind of contact with him every day. By the end of 8th grade he was attending school every day, on time, and making good grades.”
“We really get to know the students. We greet them by name,” said Torrance Unified Food Service Satellite Operator Maria Bautista to the Board. “I work at a middle school, so I’m dealing with children in that weird, awkward stage. School’s not easy for Middle School kids. Getting a ride to school from a nice bus driver who reminds you to try your best or getting breakfast from a friendly lunch lady can set the tone for a kid’s day.”
We urge the State Board of Education to construct regulations and templates that recognize the importance of holding the new funding system accountable for improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged students, while also ensuring that all students have the basic staffing support necessary to succeed.
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SEIU Local 99 is a union of nearly 45,000 education workers in K-12 schools, early education centers and homes, administrative offices, and community colleges throughout Southern California, including nearly 30,000 teacher aides, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and others providing essential student services in our schools.
