About Us...

 

I'm Boyd Kimber, President of the Granite Educational Support Professionals Association . GESPA is an important part of education in Granite School District. The benefits and salary that you have as you begin your career are due to the work of the association.

 

        The GESPA is the local part of the educational support professionals , which works together to benefit every support professional employee in many ways. The Utah School Employees Association, USEA, is the second part which works for you at the state level. Finally, the National Education Association, NEA, works for you at the national level. The NEA is 2.8 million members strong, making it the largest professional association in the world. Together with USEA and GESPA members, we are a strong voice as we advocate for support professionals, children and public education.

 

        As a support professional, you will be concerned about many issues facing education. You will want to have your voice heard in the right places to make a difference. You will want people in the Granite School District , the Utah State Legislature, and even the United States Congress, to hear your concerns. In addition, you will want your individual rights protected and enhanced. Being a member of GESPA is the way in which you can have an impact. As an Association member, you have a voice in advocating for the needs you see in your school and job.

 

        Last year, GESPA negotiated a 6% pay raise for Support Professionals. What does this mean to you as a new hire? Your salary is 6% higher than last year. Many beginning ESP’s comment that they cant afford to belong to the Association, however, as more ESP’s join, GESPAs bargaining power increases, which has a direct impact on ESP’s salary and benefits.

 

Joining your Professional Association is the right thing to do for many reasons:

 

You enjoy rights and benefits negotiated for you. One of these is the Negotiated Agreement between GESPA and Granite School District that guarantees your working conditions and rights as a support professional.

 

Communication about what is happening in your profession, Newsletters from GESPA, USEA, and NEA keep you informed of many issues affecting your jobs. You can communicate with GESPA to answer questions or resolve problems related to your employment.

 

The Association takes care of many things that individual ESP’s don't have time to do. Some examples are, handling grievances, lobbying the legislature, addressing issues and concerns with Granite District, and representing your interests.

Start your career off right, do the professional thing and join the Association, GESPA/USEA/NEA, today!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Boyd Kimber

 

Boyd Kimber, President

Granite Educational Support Professionals Association

gespa@networld.com

Phone: 801-541-0839