House bill recognizes school workers

WASHINGTON -- The government officially recognizes high-performing teachers each year, but what about school nurses, bus drivers and cafeteria workers?

That is the thrust of a bill the House passed on Monday that would establish national awards for a variety of public school workers, including custodians and school secretaries.

"There are approximately 2.8 million education support professionals across the country. Yet too often, their contributions go unrecognized," said Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., the bill sponsor.

The bill, supported by the National Education Association, would establish a National Classified School Employees of the Year Award, which Titus said would be comparable to the National Teacher of the Year program.

Workers in each of nine categories would be nominated by school officials in the states according to guidelines that would be set up by the federal Education Department. The winners would be recognized by the president.

Titus, a former university professor, said school workers are under-appreciated.

"For teachers to teach, and students to learn, schools must be well-maintained; students must be kept healthy and safe; and all of the adults with whom students interact throughout their day, whether on the playground or in the lunchroom, must support a school's culture of excellence.

"Honoring these special employees will not cost the government any money," Titus said, and an aide added the bill does not seek to appropriate new funds for the program.