This morning, Gov. Sherrill signed into law S2962/A2746, thereby allowing military veteran educational support professionals (ESPs) to obtain Seniority Service Credit.
Since 1985, teachers with prior military service have been entitled to receive seniority credit and salary guide adjustment equal to their length of service, up to a maximum of four years credit. Thanks to advocacy by the NJEA Patriots Alliance and their partnership with state legislators, this same benefit will now be extended to military veteran ESPs.
Sandi Wilcox, a Marine Corps veteran and teaching assistant in Burlington County, started the campaign that led to this monumental win for military veteran ESPs. She first met with Assemblywoman Andrea Katz (D-LD 8), who championed the bill in the state assembly. As Katz and veteran Senator Raj Mukherji (D-LD 32) led the legislation in their respective houses, Wilcox and the Patriots Alliance led NJEA’s advocacy, providing the testimony and member-driven support that helped power the bill to Gov. Sherrill’s desk.
While testifying on the bill in the State House, Wilcox promoted the bill as a social justice and equity-based solution, pointing out that the law provides important protections for ESPs.
“This provides a much-needed boost for our ESPs whose salaries are often the lowest in a school district. It provides security for employees who are usually the first to experience job loss when times are tough and it properly recognizes a group of military veterans who were, until now, among the forgotten. I cannot thank Assemblywoman Andrea Katz enough for her commitment to this issue and to Governor Sherrill for signing the bill.”
Fellow Patriots Alliance member and certified teacher, Dan Staples, testified in solidarity, framing the bill as a low-cost way to thank veteran ESPs for their service to their country and to their local communities. Seniority credit carries important benefits, including stronger job security and increased progress on salary guides means improved pension income upon retirement.
ESPs who believe they are eligible for this benefit should contact their field representative.