Education Support Professionals in the Thompson School District are calling on the Board of Education to maintain its support for recognizing the Thompson Education Support Professionals Association, according to an April 10 announcement. The call comes ahead of a scheduled vote on Wednesday, following nearly a year of organizing by classified staff seeking formal union representation.
The issue is significant as it affects paraprofessionals, bus drivers, nutrition workers, custodians, office staff, and other essential employees who have been working toward gaining a collective voice in their workplace. More than 60% of these workers signed a petition requesting union recognition. However, after months of assurances from board members that recognition would proceed, some members are now pushing for a higher membership threshold before granting recognition.
Jana Lewis, an accounting specialist and President of TESPA, said: “After almost a year of good faith organizing and assurances the board was in support of TESPA, it is deeply disheartening to see this support come into question. Classified staff want a voice in our workplaces so we can advocate for ourselves and our students. This is about working together, respect, fairness and ensuring the people who keep our schools running are being heard and supported.”
TESPA members began their campaign for recognition in 2023 and formally submitted their petition to the board in May 2025. Since then, votes have been postponed multiple times by both district officials and the board.
Sue Teumer, President of the Thompson Education Association (TEA), said: “ESPs are essential to the success of every school, and they deserve the same rights and respect as any other educator. When workers come together and clearly demonstrate support for union representation, school boards should honor that decision, not move the goalposts at the last minute. TEA is standing firm with our ESPs.”
TESPA members plan to attend Wednesday’s Thompson School Board meeting at Berthoud High School at 6:00 pm to urge board members to uphold their commitments. Efforts similar to those underway in Thompson have also taken place across Colorado as education support professionals seek improved working conditions through collective action.
