SEATTLE, Wash. — The collective bargaining agreement between Seattle Public Schools and its teachers expires today. A new tentative agreement’s not been reached, so the union's meeting, as a group, to review the next steps for them. They will be voting, likely by the end of the weekend, on one of two options.
One vote, if there’s no tentative agreement would be for members to decide if they want to strike. That vote could come as early as September 1.
Another vote would be to ratify a tentative agreement, if one’s reached, to start the new school year on time, on September 7.
Leaders in the Seattle teachers union say they believe that they could reach a tentative agreement with Seattle Public Schools at any moment, but just in case that doesn’t happen, teachers gathered outside their schools, in a sign of solidarity, still preparing for a possible strike.
“The district, had they been in the classroom the past two years if any of those officials had been working with students, they would’ve recognized right away how our proposals are meeting the needs right now,” said Jennifer Matter, president of the Seattle Education Association.
“We all know that starting school on time is what’s best for our students. And we know we’re doing everything we can to have a positive start to the school year,” said Brent Jones, Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, while speaking during the Wednesday evenings school board meeting.
Many now ask why it's down to the wire, just a week before the start of a new school year.
“I mean, we had all summer, why don’t we talk about it all summer to make sure they get what they deserve because I think they deserve so much more,” said Olivia Vaughan, a nanny, for two Seattle students.
The Seattle Education Association tells me the process started last fall. To date, the union says it’s forwarded 33 proposals.
The 2 sides started negotiating in June and continue this week, the two sides, are bargaining through the weekend and evenings until 9:00.
The district's latest proposal includes moving special education students into inclusive settings with training for educators.
Special education teacher Tamora Shoneberg says she and other special education teachers agree with the district that inclusion is the best model for these students, but she says the district’s not giving them the time they need to create the new program.
“We need change, it’s just not possible. I wish it was because we tried everything we can. We're very creative and we work hard,” said Shoneberg.
“I have been teaching for 16 years. If I worked in another industry, I’d make a lot more money with the experience and education level but I don’t want to because I want to teach the children because I feel like I can,” she added.
An agreed-upon plan for special education is just one of the issues that are keeping the two sides from reaching a tentative agreement.
The union's looking for some relief for teachers on their workloads so that students get more support and pay that would allow all staff to live within the district.
The district says it’s willing to add staff to support students, add social workers to middle and high schools, and offer higher salaries for staff.
“I remain very hopeful that both sides can come to an agreement that best supports our students,” said Jones.