Welcome to our newest ESP Locals!!

Welcome Carbondale Educational Support Professionals Association (Region 2)

Pictured left to right: Secretary Amy Weber, President Tricia Lueker, Vice President Leatreasa Lilly-Madison (all three are building secretaries), Treasurer Donovan Burk and Regional Council Rep Phillip Wallen(both special education aides). Not pictured is instructional aide Joan Rogers, elected RCR alternate.

The Carbondale Educational Support Professionals Association-IEA/NEA (CESPA) has its first set of local officers! At their maiden general membership meeting Nov.1, members ratified local bylaws and then elected CESPA’s Executive Committee. CESPA is the newest affiliate of Region 2, served out of the IEA Carterville Office. They will partner with the longstanding Carbondale Education Association which represents teachers and other certified employees of Carbondale Elementary District #95. The ESP local representing nearly 100 aides, paraprofessionals,  secretaries, cooks and maintenance staff organized last spring with overwheling support.Submitted by IEA Organizer Dave Vitoff Edwardsville

Welcome Johnsburg Support Staff Organization (Region 23)

Members of JSSO met at Ringwood Elementary School in Ringwood on Dec. 11 to vote in their very first election. After a whirlwind three-month campaign, 48 paraprofessionals and teachers’ aides formed a new ESP local and they are already preparing to enter bargaining. Congratulations, JSSO!

(Pictured L to R): Jennifer Schmitt, association representative;Kathleen Zakrocky, regional council representative; Julie Young, treasurer; Laurie Stade, president;Dawn Becker, association representative; Kelly Berwick, vice president; Mary Kay Martino, secretary; and Suzy Martin, association representative.