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House Passes H.R. 2377 to Nationally Recognize Classified School Employees

On March 15, 2010 the U.S. House of Representatives, by a huge voice vote, passed H.R. 2377, a bill that will create a National Classified School Employees of the Year Award. Classified employees, also known by NEA as Education Support Professionals, include paraeducators, clerical assistants, school bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, technicians and craftsmen, school nurses, and security professionals. These individuals provide essential services to America's public schools and institutions of higher education. The bill has been moved into the Senate for debate and consideration. Please contact your U.S. Senator and ask him or her for their support and vote.

The bill had 59 cosponsors.

• NEA wrote a letter to the House urging support for the bill
• Find out if your Representative cosponsored the bill
• View full text of H.R. 2377

VIDEO: Consider the daily work done by classified school employees.

Without them:

• The doors would not open
• The bells would not ring
• Classrooms would not be clean
• Special students would miss crucial one-on-one support
• The phones would not be answered
• Students would go without lunch
• The lights would not come on
• Paychecks would not be issued

Public schools run because of the work done by classified school employees. H.R. 2377 by Representatives Titus (D-NV) and Woolsey (D-CA) provides long-overdue recognition for the outstanding contributions made by these men and women.