Giving ESP Authority To Remove Students Makes School Safer

The more adults with authority in a school, the safer the school will be, DePere education support professional Sue Smits said Tuesday (September 25, 2007) in testifying for a bill that would give any school district employee authority to remove disruptive students.

"Because of budget cuts, more and more support staff members are assigned to supervise students in and outside the classroom," said Smits, a former school custodian who now works as a recess supervisor and in food service. "Support staff should be able to enforce the local code of conduct without being told, 'You’re not a teacher. I don’t have to listen to you.' "

"Educational Support Professionals (ESP) as well as all school employees play an integral role within the school community to keep the schools safe, orderly and healthy places that are conducive to learning," Smits said. "Many do a very tough job with not much pay. They deserve the respect, support and authority to make professional decisions that keep schools safe and orderly. Assembly Bill 484 is a significant step forward to extend to educational support professionals the authority and respect they deserve."

Current law gives a teacher the authority to remove a pupil from the classroom if the pupil violates a locally developed code of conduct; is dangerous, unruly or disruptive; or exhibits behavior that interferes with the teacher's ability to teach effectively. Assembly Bill 484 would extend the same authority to any school district employee and also allow a school district employee to remove a pupil from school property or from a school-sponsored activity supervised by that employee.

Senator John Lehman (D-Racine) and Representative Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) testify in support of their companion bills to give education support professionals authority to remove disruptive students.

Representative Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) is the bill's author. Senator John Lehman (D-Racine) has introduced a companion bill, Senate Bill 251. A similar bill has been introduced the last two sessions by Representative Sondy Pope-Roberts (D-Verona), but failed to become law.

Under the bill, a pupil who is removed from the classroom must be sent to the principal, with a written explanation of the reasons for the removal. A school district employee who removes a student from school property other than a classroom or a school-sponsored activity must provide a written explanation to the principal or the principal's designee as soon as feasible.

The bill carries out the Safe and Healthy Schools provision of WEAC's Legislative Agenda, which argues that education support professionals are increasingly called upon to supervise students. This measure enhances their authority to keep classrooms and schools working safely.

Smits said many times the removal of a student is a good thing for some kids. "The student may benefit from some one-on-one attention from an adult to help the student deal with his or her problem. Not addressing a small student problem may become a larger problem – even a tragedy – if not dealt with by a caring adult.

"Empowering educational support professionals sends a message to students that teachers, administrators and support staff are working as a team to keep schools orderly places of learning," Smits testified.

Posted September 25, 2007