The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is proud to celebrate its incredible classified staff during Classified School Employee Week, taking place May 18–24, 2025. At its May 13, 2025, meeting, the Board of Education will officially adopt(ed) a resolution recognizing the vital contributions of these dedicated professionals and present(ed) it to the Monterey-JC Crumpton Chapter 93 California School Employees Association (CSEA) President Erin Banik and CSEA representatives. This year’s theme is "Trusted. Inclusive. Unified."
Classified School Employee Week has been celebrated statewide since 1986, following a resolution first introduced at the CSEA Annual Conference in 1984. It was later codified through California Senate Bill 1552. Since then, this annual observance has become an important tradition to acknowledge the critical roles classified employees play in supporting California's public education system.
At MPUSD, classified employees are the heart of school operations. From the early morning arrival of students on our buses to the preparation of healthy meals, the care of facilities, the management of front offices, and the hands-on support in classrooms, classified professionals touch every part of the student experience. Their contributions ensure schools are safe, welcoming, and well-functioning environments where students can learn and grow.
“Our classified staff bring extraordinary talent, care, and commitment to their roles,” said Superintendent Dr. PK Diffenbaugh. “They are essential to student success and to the daily rhythm of our campuses. They are trusted partners, inclusive team members, and a unified force for good in our schools and community.”
Classified employees serve in a wide variety of roles, including:
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Food service workers
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Custodians and maintenance personnel
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Secretarial and clerical staff
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Paraeducators and classroom aides
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Transportation drivers and staff
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Technology specialists
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Bilingual program aides
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Campus safety and security teams
Each of these individuals helps bring MPUSD’s mission—Incite Excellence. Inspire Change.—to life through their daily work, embodying the district’s goals to improve outcomes for all students and to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse, high-quality staff.
As MPUSD celebrates Classified School Employee Week, we invite students, families, and community members to take a moment to recognize the classified professionals who work behind the scenes—and often front and center—to support our schools. A kind word, a note of appreciation, or a simple thank you can go a long way in showing how valued they truly are.
To all of our classified employees across Marina, Monterey, and Seaside: Thank you for your dedication, your service, and your unwavering commitment to our students and school communities.