140th Anniversary Celebration
The following is the transcript of a speech given at the districts’ 140th anniversary celebration.
Celebrating Classified Employees
Brian Tanguay, President
California School Employees Association, Santa Barbara Chapter 37
June 6, 2006
Superintendent Sarvis, members of the Board, guests, colleagues and friends, it is my privilege to speak on behalf of the classified employees who contribute so much to the Santa Barbara School Districts.
Day in and day out, year in and year out, Classified employees serve this District in diverse capacities – as instructional assistants and attendance technicians, custodians and carpenters, plumbers and painters, cafeteria workers and delivery drivers, accounting clerks and school secretaries, health aides and campus safety assistants, computer technicians and sign language interpreters. We support teachers and administrators by maintaining the best possible infrastructure, and our success has always been, and will always be, measured by what students achieve in the classroom.
On this noteworthy day let’s remember to connect what we’ve done locally for 140 years to the uniquely American venture of public education, a venture that reflects our loftiest aspirations and highest ideals, and a venture that at its best opens doors of possibility and opportunity so that the future might be made more rewarding than the past. In the words of American novelist Philip Roth, “If there’s any chance for the improvement of life, where’s it going to begin if not in the school?”
Classified employees are proud to play a role in improving the lives and futures of students, proud to serve teachers and staff, and proud to contribute our talents, dedication and energy to this resilient, relevant, and remarkable 140 year old institution. Happy birthday! Long may the Santa Barbara School Districts thrive!