BUSHNELL (7/1/2021) - While most ESP have grown accustomed to all conversations about compensation for education staff centering on teacher pay, it is particulalry worrisome that even in a time when ALL public school employees made sacrifices, took on additional responsibilities and heavier workloads, and placed themselves in harms way to help reopen schools, ESP have once again been forgotten --or worse, been fully disregarded-- by the folks elected to serve us in Tallahassee.

Quite a bit of attention was garnered when the Governor announced that he would be signing a budget that included $1000 bonuses to classroom teachers and principals as a 'thank you' for work done during the COVID pandemic. But what about our ESP? Where is the 'thank you' for their work? 

In a statement released today, the FEA reiterated the short-sightedness of bonuses paid in this manner after the state released details regarding the distribution of bonuses - now to be referred to as 'relief payments'. Districts have until July 13th to provide the state with names and information for all qualifying employees. Presumably, the checks would be processed and likely received by mid-August. 

In the meantime, some Districts around the state have already committed to making the employees left out of state bonuses whole. SCESP will be advocating that the District follow suit and make it right for our ESSENTIAL support personnel.

BUSHNELL (6/29/2021) - In preparation for the school year ahead, SCESP and District leadership have reached agreements regarding the extension of work hours for select ESP and a continuation of the paid internship option for ESP participating in the Para to Pro program through St. Leo.

You may already be aware that the federal government has made a significant investment in K12 education through its COVID relief efforts. The portion of funds meant to be distributed to local school districts in the coming months are identified as ESSER (Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief) funds

Click here to join SCESP through our online application

Joining your fellow employees and becoming a member of the Sumter County Essential Support Personnel also entitles you to memberships in the Florida Education Association, the National Education Association, and the American Federation of Teachers.

SCESP Membership Policies state:

Members in good standing are defined as those who are current on unified membership dues and who have not been sanctioned by the Association for misconduct. New members become good standing and are eligible for representation when dues payment is initiated. Member MUST be in good standing at time of any incident to be eligible for representation. SCESP will not provide representation for issues predating join.

The Association will provide notice to any member whose union representation rights have been suspended because dues payments have fallen in arrears. The member shall have 30 days from the date on the notice to pay the outstanding dues balance and resume regularly scheduled dues drafts. Failure to remedy delinquencies and bring payments current shall result in a loss of membership privileges.

Members are responsible for notifying the Association of a separation from the bargaining unit. Refund for overpayment after separation shall be limited to a maximum of two (2) dues payments. Cancellation of membership is the sole responsibility of the member and written notification must be provided directly to the President of the Association. Confirmation of intent to cancel may be required. It is your responsibility to notify SCESP if you are no longer employed with Sumter County Public Schools.

Please notify your SCESP President or contact our office at (352) 237.6275.

--eDues--

eDues (Bank ACH payments) are the preferred means of dues remittance.  It is the member’s responsibility to ensure changes to banking information are updated through the membership portal.

2025-2026:

SCESP 24 Dues Drafts
Full Time: $18.08 per pay period
Part Time: $13.40 per pay period (4 Hours or Less)
 

Annual dues may be remitted by check if paid in full no later than the first pay date of the contract year according to the district’s published payroll schedule. Semi-Annual or Quarterly dues may be remitted by check if paid by the published payment schedule set in accordance with the local’s yearly budget. Checks shall be made payable to Sumter County Essential Support Personnel and must be mailed to:

United Service Unit

2801 SW College Rd, Suite 14,

Ocala, FL 34474

Contact SCESP (352.237.6275) to request the Pay by Check schedule