Security Services

We're NEA ESPs and Proud of It!

About Us and Our Work

• 85% of us work in school buildings. 44% of us work at senior high schools; 27% at middle or junior high schools; 14% at preschool, kindergarten, or elementary schools; and the remaining at multiple levels or district central offices.
• 35% of us work with special education students.
• 84% of us work full time.
• 42% of us are male.
• 71% are married.
• Our average age is 48.
• 63% of us have attended at least some college.
• 60% of us have met specific job requirements such as certifications or special courses, and 23% of us must take examinations or courses on a regular basis.

We are committed: 8.8 years is the average we have been working in our field. 78% of us plan to stay in this field, and 51% plan to keep our current positions until retirement.

We are important for school safety: Approximately 22,000 security services ESPs work in the nation's K-12 public schools. We make up 1% of the NEA ESP membership and 1% of the ESP work force in the U.S. K-12 public schools.

Our Workplace Conditions and Issues

20% of us do not have a job description. Among those of us who do have a job description, 37% believe it does not accurately describe the amount of work we do, and 17% think it does not accurately describe what we do. 54% of us have no say about updating or changing our job descriptions.

66% of us are often or sometimes asked to perform duties outside our job descriptions.

Our primary responsibility is ensuring the safety and security of students, staff, and school property. We are also active in creating safety policies, such as whether students may carry book bags and under what conditions lockers or student property may be searched.

We need clearly defined legal authority and jurisdiction, both on and off school property. Our authority varies considerably among the states and from place to place within a state.

We are concerned about privatization: 18% of our members report that security services are being contracted out in their districts.

We must have access to appropriate job training, since we continually face new security problems, and some states mandate specific training for security personnel.

We need good security and privacy policies in every school district because we constantly deal with confidential information about students, staff, and parents.

We enjoy the personal fulfillment we get from our work. We'd like better wages, chances for promotion and advancement, and opportunities for professional development and in-service training. We would like more freedom to do our jobs the way we think is best.

How Can We Help Restore Public Confidence in Public Education? Security Services Members Speak Out:

"Show that all children are wanted and loved."

"Let people know who we are and what we do: We are the community; we are public education."

"Get involved as much as possible in everything that has to do with education."

Security Services: Who We Are

• Guards
• School Resource Officers
• Security Workers
• Police
• Nonmanagerial Supervisors