NSEA’s amendment to AB398 is about fairness. The amendment would expand AB398 to include all educators in hard-to-fill positions, including education support professionals and other licensed education professionals. While AB398 is a step in the right direction—addressing compensation for certain hard-to- fill teaching roles—it unfortunately excludes other critical educators.
Two years ago, NSEA asked for a similar amendment to SB231, because the bill as introduced literally left out thousands of educators who make our schools run. We were successful at expanding SB231 to include all education support professionals, in addition to licensed educators, because it was the right thing to do. Today, we ask the legislature to make this similar amendment to AB398. While NSEA advocates for our teacher members in hard-to-fill positions, there are other important hard-to-fill education positions left out of this bill. Education support professional positions like special education aides, paraprofessionals in Title I schools, and school bus drivers have had some of the most significant vacancies. Meanwhile, excessive caseloads for school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and speech language pathologists exist in most Nevada districts. Shortages of ESPs and OLEPs impact the job of the classroom teacher, making filling teaching positions more difficult.
NSEA advocates not just for our members but the entire public education system. Education support professionals keep our schools running every single day and provide critical classroom supports. Likewise, other licensed education professionals are essential to student success and well-being. Every role matters when it comes to supporting our students and keeping our schools strong. Please act to correct this oversight and amend AB398 to include all hard-to-fill education positions. Thank you.
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