1.
(a)
(1)Classified
school employeeIn this Act,
the term classified school employee means an employee working in
any grade from pre-kindergarten through higher education, in any of the
following nine occupational specialities:
(A)Paraprofessionals.
(B)Clerical and
administrative services.
(C)Transportation
services.
(D)Food and
nutrition services.
(E)Custodial and
maintenance services.
(F)Security
services.
(G)Health and
student services.
(H)Technical
services.
(I)Skilled
trades.
(2)The terms used in this Act have the meaning given the
terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801).
(b)The
Congress finds as follows:
(1)Classified school
employees provide valuable service to public schools in the United
States.
(2)Classified school
employees provide essential services, such as transportation, facilities
maintenance and operations, food service, safety, and health care.
(3)Classified school
employees play a vital role in providing for the welfare and safety of
students.
(4)Classified school
employees strive for excellence in all areas of service to the education
community.
(5)Exemplary
classified school employees should be recognized for their outstanding
contributions to quality education in the United States.
2.Recognition
program established
(a)The Secretary of
Education shall establish and administer a national recognition program to be
known as the National Classified School Employees of the Year
Awards. The purpose of the program shall be to recognize and promote the
commitment and excellence exhibited by employees within certain occupational
specialties in public schools who provide exemplary service to students in
pre-kindergarten through higher education.
(b)
(1)The occupational specialties referred to in subsection
(a) are the following:
(A)Paraprofessionals.
(B)Clerical and
administrative services.
(C)Transportation
services.
(D)Food and nutrition
services.
(E)Custodial and
maintenance services.
(F)Security
services.
(G)Health and student
services.
(H)Technical
services.
(I)Skilled
trades.
(2)Prior to March 31 of each year (beginning with the second
calendar year that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act), the
Secretary shall select an employee from each occupational specialty described
in paragraph (1) to receive an award under the recognition program.
(c)
(1)
(A)Not later than
November 1 of each year (beginning with the first calendar year that begins
after the date of the enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall solicit
nominations from each occupational specialty described in subsection (b)(1)
from the chief State school officer of each State.
(B)In order for
individuals in a State to be eligible to receive recognition under this
section, the chief State school officer of the State shall consider nominations
submitted by the following:
(i)Local educational
agencies.
(ii)School
administrators.
(iii)Professional
associations.
(iv)Labor
unions.
(v)Any
other group determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(2)Each
chief State school officer of a State who desires individuals in the State to
receive recognition under this section shall submit the nominations described
in paragraph (1) to the Secretary in such manner as the Secretary may require.
Each such nomination shall contain, at a minimum, demonstrations of excellence
in the following areas:
(A)Work
performance.
(B)School and
community involvement.
(C)Leadership and
commitment.
(D)Local
support.
(E)Enhancement of
classified school employees’ image in the community and schools.
(F)Any other area of
superior performance, such as health and safety promotion or efficient use of
energy or other resources.
(3)The
Secretary shall develop uniform national guidelines for evaluating nominations
submitted under paragraph (2) in order to select the most deserving nominees
based on the demonstrations made in the areas described in such
paragraph.