Shoreline Schools continue to feel the massive budget cuts. Cuts were implemented when the school board thought the district would be in the hole by 6 million but ended the last fiscal year with 1 million in the black.
Education Support Professionals are critical to our schools, from opening our school buildings in the morning to supporting our special education students and keeping our students safe and supported. The legislature must pay ESPs wages that allow us to survive and thrive.
For too long, ESP pay has lagged. ESPs often work 2-3 jobs to get by or commute long distances because they can't afford to live in the communities where they work. This forces them to change careers often or leave the students they love to get other, higher-paying jobs.
Their pay needs to increase so they can afford to stay in our schools and support our families