At the Nassau County School Board meeting on Jan. 9, education support professionals and community allies delivered a succession of public comments defending recent millage-funded pay and urging the board to ensure living wages and respect for noninstructional staff.

Speakers said the district could not operate without bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers, paraprofessionals and office staff. "How frightening would it be to try to run a school without education support professionals?" said Miriam Phillips, president of the National Educational Support Personnel Association, introducing a National Education Association video the group had prepared.

The comments were delivered during the public-comment portion of the meeting and included a mix of personal stories and appeals to the board. Diane Douglas, a former Nassau County teacher, told the board she had seen support staff perform essential work for more than 30 years and criticized "voices" she described as using rhetoric to pit employees against one another. Bus driver Terry Wilkinson described long-term relationships with students and families and urged the board to recognize the role drivers play in students' daily lives. "If we're not essential, then I don't know what this person's thinking," Wilkinson said of a community critic referenced in the meeting.

Custodian and vice president of the local support staff association Stephanie Jesse disputed a claim made in public that custodians earn $47,000 a year. "Not even close to 47," Jesse said, adding that many support employees rely on millage-related pay to cover basic household expenses.

Phyllis Alderman, a former school secretary and longtime district employee, described duties that go beyond answering phones, from helping sick students to providing steady adult relationships for children. Several speakers said the millage money is being used to retain staff and that the funding has resulted in concrete improvements for support employees.

The public comments drew expressions of gratitude from board members and district leaders. Superintendent Dr. Burns thanked speakers and said the district values support personnel, noting the role they play in daily operations and student relationships.

No board action on compensation or millage changes occurred during the meeting; public comments were recorded as part of the meeting's presentations. The board proceeded afterward to routine business and action items on the agenda.