After much hard work our negotiation team has come to a tentative agreement with district administration. The agreement still needs to be approved by the School Board. More information will be coming shortly.

TCSD has given TESPA official notice that we are below the required 50% to be recognized as a negotiating party for the support professionals for the Tooele County School District. If the numbers to not got back to 50% or higher, this will be the last year we have a seat at the negotiating table and any all previously negotiated items may no longer be in effect.

We need everyone to help spread the word and try and get our membership back up. There have been other areas where they have lost the ability to negotiate and are left with taking whatever is given without any say or representation. Please help share the word and the gravity of the situation we are in.

USEA and NEA are hosting a training for all Para Educators. Para Educators are essential in the education of our students. This professional development is offered FREE to all USEA members and a $20 fee for non members. Please look at the flyer below for more information. RSVP at http://www.bit.ly/parapower or call USEA at (801)296-9320.

The negotiated agreement for this next school year  is up on our site. Thank you to all of you who came to our planning meeting as well as our mass meeting. Negotiations went well this year and there were many positive things that came from it. A special thanks to the negotiation team for all their hard work to get this accomplished.

TESPA is deeply saddened by the tragic loss that hit our community last night. If anyone would like to help here is from information from Tooele County School District:

Updated information:
1) Displaced families are to still come to West Elementary and check-in with the Red Cross.
2) The Tooele Fire-Relief Fund has been established for donations. A donation can be made at any Zions Bank.
3) For all other donations (food, clothes, etc.) go to www.TCEM.org for designated donation sites.
For more information call the live shelter hotline numbers at:
435-882-0713
435-882-1771

ESP DAY 2015 is Wednesday Nov 18th!

Each day Education Support Professionals around the country go to work to serve students. Please join us on Wednesday November 18th and celebrate national ESP day! ESPs make up nearly 40% of the school workforce. They work together daily with teachers and administrators to create and maintain schools as safe and supportive learning environments. They are the superheroes, the unsung heroes who meet the needs of the whole student — physical, mental, emotional, and social.
Here are some facts about ESPs

• Over 2.9 million ESPs work in the nation’s public schools

• K-12 ESP’s are committed to their careers and their employers. They average 11.5 years in the ESP workforce, and 67% plan to keep their current jobs

• 75% of K-12 ESP’s live within the boundaries of the school districts where they are employed.

• ESP’s are actively engaged in insuring the safety of students. 59% have witnessed bullying behavior, and 89% of these have intervened or tried to stop it. Likewise, 45% have witnessed school violence, and 85% of these have intervened or tried to stop it.

Here are some resources to help celebrate ESP Day:

• Let’s Learn About ESPs Coloring Book
• School Superheroes Hand Out Card
• ESP School Superheroes: Keeping Students and Schools Safe Learning Poster
• TESPA Customizable ESP Handout
• TESPA website/Facebook Handout
• TESPA “Smartie Pants” Handout
• A Guide to Celebrate ESP Day
• Governor Herbert ESP Declaration
• ESP Overview Brochure

November 7, 2015 at 9:00 am – 12:30 pm USEA offices –  For all members who want to get a CCW Permit. Members: Half Price $15 Non Member: $30 If you bring a new member that signs up, you get the class free and they pay the $15. RSVP by Wednesday Nov 4th (THAT IS TODAY)  See the attached photo for more information.

The School Improvement Bond passed yesterday. Thank you to all those who put in many hours and worked to get this passed.

This will be a great thing for our community and the students of Tooele County School District.

The executive board of TESPA supports this bond and encourages everyone to vote yes in favor of the bond. We feel this is what is best for the students and communities involved and is smart timing and planning by the district. Polls close at 8:00 PM. If you don’t know where to go check here: http://vote.utah.gov/