Parents, classified staff and union leaders press Thompson board to recognize TESPA

At the public‑comment portion of the March meeting, a series of community members, classified staff and union leaders asked the school board to recognize the district’s classified‑staff organization, Tespa (Thompson Education Support Professionals Association).

Liz Waddick, vice president of the Colorado Education Association, told the board that classified staff are the "lifeblood" of districts and urged the board to give them a seat at the table. "Recognizing Tespa means recognizing and respecting the work of those professionals," she said.

Daniel Strader, a paraprofessional at Centennial Elementary, said a petition signed last May by a majority of classified staff asks the board for recognition and argued that recognition helps retention and provides a structured way for staff to advise district leadership.

Cindy Glanzer, a founding Tespa member, described safety and training gains the union helped secure and said the association has pressed for staffing and training improvements. "Tespa wants to partner with the district to solve problems and issues that are critical to making sure our students are safe and cared for every single school day," she said.

Jana Lewis, Tespa president, directly asked the board to recognize Tespa at an upcoming meeting, saying recognition would cost the district nothing and would create a formal channel for classified staff to collaborate with administrators. Several speakers referenced other Colorado districts that have recognized classified staff and said such recognition has helped retention and pay outcomes.

Board members did not take action during the meeting; multiple speakers said they expect the item to return for board consideration at an April meeting. The public commenters asked the board to act next month and emphasized continued collaboration with TEA, CEA and other statewide organizations.