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Senate backs resolution directing study of education support professionals
Summary
Senate Joint Resolution 14, creating a statewide study of education support professionals (ESPs) for classification, vacancy, and wage comparisons, passed on a unanimous roll call after an amendment removing a reporting requirement; sponsors stressed that the study will inform wage and staffing policies.
Senate Joint Resolution 14 (as amended) passed the Delaware Senate May 14, directing the Department of Education to study workforce data for education support professionals — the staff who drive buses, prepare meals, maintain buildings and support classroom operations.
Sponsor Senator Cruz explained the resolution and introduced Senate Amendment 1, which removed a prescriptive reporting requirement about including hourly/weekly/biweekly rates. Senator Cruz said the resolution is "very simple, very narrowly tailored" and will provide data on headcounts, classifications, vacancies and wage comparisons to living wages to inform future policy.
Supporters on the floor, including Senator Lockman and Senator Pinkney, framed the resolution as an initial, data-driven step toward policy action to ensure compensation aligns with the workforce role. Senator Pinkney said the resolution is a first step toward strengthening a workforce that often works multiple jobs to make ends meet.
The Senate approved the amendment and then the amended resolution by roll call (21 yes). The measure directs a study and report from the Department of Education to give the Legislature detailed workforce information to inform potential legislative or budgetary responses.
