Whereas, California Senate Bill 1552 (Campbell, 1986) established Classified School Employee Week in order to recognize the vital contributions of classified employees; and

Whereas, Classified School Employee Week is celebrated in the third full week of May each year from Sunday to Saturday; and

Whereas, classified school employees represent workers from early childhood through higher education in public and private education; and

Whereas, over a quarter million classified workers in the education workforce fill countless classifications that make a critical contribution to educating California’s students; and

Whereas, classified school employees are essential to student success. We are the first face students see and the last at the end of their day; and

Whereas, classified school employees are on school and college campuses; and

Whereas, classified school employees are in classrooms, offices, kitchens, maintenance yards, sports fields, school buses, and boiler-rooms working shifts anytime of the day, twelve months a year; and

Whereas, classified school employees provide clerical, technical, supervision, nutritional, accounting, educational, sanitation, financial aid, childcare, security, registrar, toileting, healthcare, library services, reception, Human Resources, and “other duties as assigned” in their districts; and

Whereas, classified school employees are also mentors, good listeners, eyes on campus, advocates, counselors, and mediators; and

Whereas, classified school employees are the last hired and first fired, and have their district’s budgets balanced on their backs; and

Whereas, Classified School Employees provided essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic by preparing meals for students and their families, IT services to ensure online/hybrid learning, as well as sanitation services to curb the spread of the virus, and worked on campuses when Zoom options were not available; and

Whereas, the CFT has demonstrated its support for its classified members, by rebranding to CFT: A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals, sponsoring legislation to improve their quality of life, and ensuring that they have a seat at the table, however the public seems to be unaware of classified school employees and the impact they have on student success; 

Therefore, be it resolved, that the CFT will commit resources, finances and other support for the Classified Council to host a rally at the State Capitol during Classified School Employees appreciation week, Sunday, May 19 through Saturday, May 25, 2024; and 

Be it further resolved, that the CFT publicize the event in all CFT publications and social media, and press releases; and 

Be it further resolved, that the CFT will work with other unions that represent classified affiliates to join the event; and

Be it further resolved, that the CFT will encourage all members to support and attend the event to demonstrate their support of classified employees in our schools, colleges, and workplaces; and  

Be it finally resolved, that the CFT will accept, support, and approve this day of action. 

• Submitted by Council of Classified Employees