Page 11 - Work Force May 2025

12 The Work Force May 2025
“Everything we
do is for the kids.
That’s why we’re in
this business. But
if we don’t fix these
problems now with
transportation,
funding, and staffing,
then the ones who
lose out aren’t just
the workers. It’s the
students.”
Our union’s Special Local
Government Schools Committee
serves as a vital voice for CSEA
members employed at schools
across the state.
CSEA Special Local Government
Schools Committee Chair John
Brown, also the Oneida Educational
Employees Local President, noted
that committee members are focused
on helping solve the pressing issues
schools face.
“We’ve got
the whole state
covered,” said
Brown, who is also
Holland-Patent
School District Local
President. “Everyone
brings a different
experience to the
table. Everyone’s
doing their part.”
One of the
committee’s top
priorities is reviving
its newsletter to
keep members
informed about new regulations
and challenges. The committee is
also tackling the upcoming renewal
of workplace violence prevention
plans, something many districts still
haven’t fully addressed.
Brown sees the group’s
collaborative spirit as its strength.
“What makes this committee great
is that everyone’s willing to speak
up, share what’s working and be
honest about what isn’t,” said Brown.
“That’s how we move forward.”
Driver shortage leading to stress
One issue continues to create
daily disruptions across the state:
the school bus driver shortage.
“Look at the bus driver problem—
we’ve been talking about this for
years,” said Brown. “And now we’re
seeing the consequences.”
Districts are
consolidating routes,
including having
kindergartners and
high schoolers ride
together. In some
areas, parents
have resorted to
driving their kids
themselves.
“I wouldn’t want
my third grader
sitting next to a high
school junior on the
bus,” said Brown.
The disparity in
pay rates across
districts only makes things worse.
“One district pays $30 an hour,
another pays $21,” said Brown.
“That’s a huge difference, and drivers
will jump ship for a buck more an
hour. You lose continuity, you lose
trust and kids suffer.”
Retirees make up a large portion
of the current driver workforce, and
recruitment has been slowed by both
low pay and burdensome testing
Committee tackles
critical education issues
In this 2021 file photo, during a bus rodeo event, CSEA Oneida Educational
Employees Local President John Brown speaks to local media about bus
driver shortages.
requirements. CSEA successfully
advocated for the removal of “under
the hood” requirement, which
required drivers to inspect the bus
engine before trips.
“We’ve tried job fairs and driver
rodeos,” said Brown. “It helps, but
the real problem is how we value
this job.”
Beyond driving, bus drivers often
unofficially serve as counselors and
nurses.
“They’re the first and last school
employee a kid sees every day,” said
Brown. “They know the kids. That
connection matters.”
Federal cuts harming schools
Looming federal funding cuts—
especially to Medicaid—are
threatening the future of school
services, particularly for vulnerable
students.
“People don’t realize how
much of our school services are
tied to federal dollars,” Brown
said. “Medicaid supports special
education, pre-K and even the staff
who process all the paperwork. If
those funds disappear, those jobs go,
and kids lose out.”
School lunch programs, which
often provide the only full meals
many students get in a day, are also
at risk.
“We’re feeding kids well into the
summer now,” said Brown. “Take
away that funding, and we’re also
taking away their ability to learn.
Even if you wanted to raise taxes,
it may [be difficult] to cover what’s
being cut. And who suffers? The
kids—and the support staff.”
Brown emphasized that political
action is more important than ever,
encouraging members to attend
meetings, track budget votes and be
visible in their communities.
“People think political action
means holding a sign on a picket
line, but it’s not just that,” said
Brown. “It’s showing up to a school
board meeting, knowing what’s on
the agenda and having a presence. If
95% of our membership lives in the
district, we have real influence. We
just have to use it.”
Support staff essential
Brown noted that the committee’s
message is that school support staff
are essential.
“We ask these people to care
for our kids, maintain millions of
dollars in infrastructure, and be the
backbone of the school community,
yet we try to pay them like fast-food
workers,” said Brown. “That’s not
sustainable.”
Whether it’s advocating for
maintenance staff who plow through
winter storms, or nurses who
manage complex medical needs,
Brown said he wants administrators
and lawmakers to recognize the
value of school employees.
“Everything we do is for the kids.
That’s why we’re in this business,”
said Brown. “But if we don’t fix these
problems now with transportation,
funding and staffing, then the ones
who lose out aren’t just the workers.
It’s the students.”
— Nicholas Newcomb
From left, now U.S.
Rep. John Mannion,
a former teacher,
listens as John
Brown speaks about
issues facing school
workers.