ESP testify on behalf of Rep. Pope-Roberts' bill

Middleton Educational Support Association President Elaine Hoffer testifies in favor of Assembly Bill 760, the Disruptive Student Act. "It is needed to protect our support staff from harm," she said.

Appleton education support professional Marge Rivard got up early, took a day off of work and drove more than two hours to Madison to testify in favor of Assembly Bill 760, a bill that would give ESP the right to remove dangerous or disruptive students.

"This has been an issue for support professionals for a long time," Rivard said. At times during the school day, ESP are the only adults in charge of supervising students, yet they have limited power to manage disruptive students, she said. "This bill would allow everyone to be on a level playing field."

The Assembly Committee on Education heard testimony on AB 760 Tuesday (February 10, 2004).

Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts of Verona proposed AB 760, the Disruptive Student Act. Current law gives teachers the authority to remove students from the classroom if they are dangerous, unruly or disruptive; or exhibit behavior that interferes with the teacher's ability to teach effectively. The bill would extend the same authority to ESP.

Worried that she wouldn't be able to make the drive back to Appleton if she stayed much longer, a disappointed Rivard left the Capitol building before having the opportunity to testify.

When Rep. Luther Olsen, chair of the committee, called for testimony on AB 760, WEAC Government Relations Program Specialist Michael Walsh read Rivard's testimony on her behalf. "I am here to support Rep. Pope-Roberts' bill," he read. "My support is based on a very simple premise: students should respect all adults, and as an employee of a school district, I and other education support professionals should have the same rights afforded to the professional staff."

Middleton Educational Support Association President Elaine Hoffer also took a day off of work to testify on behalf of AB 760. She waited more than six hours for the opportunity to discuss her position with the committee.

"I believe this bill will help support staff members have the authority to deal with these children more effectively and make schools a safe and orderly place," she said. "A place more conducive to learning."

Hoffer, who has worked as a bus driver and special needs paraeducator in the Middleton Cross Plains School District, noted in her testimony that AB 760 allows ESP to remove disruptive students from hallways, the lunchroom and after-school activities, in addition to the classroom. "These are places in which support staff also give attention to children," she said.

The Assembly committee has not yet scheduled further action on AB 760, which carries out a Safe and Healthy Schools provision of WEAC's Legislative Agenda.

Posted February 12, 2004