SENATE RESOLUTION

                           2000-8776

By Senators McAuliffe, McCaslin, Bauer, Kohl-Welles and Spanel

     WHEREAS, Providing all Washington State children a public education is the paramount duty of the state; and

     WHEREAS, It is impossible to provide our children a quality public education if they cannot get to school, if they do not have enough food on the table at home, if the schools they arrive at are neglected, cold and unsafe; and

     WHEREAS, Classified employees are the bus drivers who are safely transporting, in sometimes dangerous road conditions, over 462,907 students each day in 8,610 busses over 465,119 miles; the food service employees feeding over 407,065 students nearly 528,891 meals per day; the custodian and maintenance employee ensuring that the 2,071 school buildings where our children are receiving their education are functional, warm, clean, and safe; and

     WHEREAS, Classified employees are the secretaries who make sure that all parents, staff, and most importantly, all children, receive the necessary support and services while at the same time providing love and attention to each student=s special needs, even if all that is needed is a Band-Aid, a friendly ear or reminder; and

     WHEREAS, Classified employees are the instructional assistants who are increasingly depended upon to provide individualized attention to students in the classroom to ensure they meet the higher academic standards, as well as provide such specialized services as nursing and interpreting for deaf and disabled children and students who speak other languages; and

     WHEREAS, Classified employees are normally the first employees called upon when there is a threat to our children=s safety and security; and

     WHEREAS, It is necessary to employ over 50,000 classified employees to provide these essential support services to the nearly one million students receiving public education; and

     WHEREAS, Washington State students have had their education significantly enhanced by the services of classified school employees; and

     WHEREAS, Washington State citizens seldom reflect on the critical role classified employees play in providing our children a quality education.

     NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honor classified school employees during Classified School Employee Week, March 12 through 17, 2000,  and urge all citizens to join in honoring and recognizing the dedication and hard work of all classified school employees.

     WHEREAS, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Public School Employees of Washington.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 2000-8776,

adopted by the Senate March 16, 2000.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate