And the negotiations have been tenuous.
As of Sept. 8, there has been progress, but it depends on which side you are on.
What does the Seattle Education Association (SEA) say?
Despite having made progress in some areas (guaranteed 30 minutes recess for K-5, evaluation, enforceable case loads for therapists and other specialists, substitute issues), Seattle educators are still VERY far apart from the school district in contract negotiations.
According to Andrew Russell, who teaches for Seattle Public Schools (SPS), “not only is the school district’s overall compensation offer far below what is needed to attract and retain quality teachers in this increasingly expensive city, but they also still propose to lengthen the school day with no extra pay, a stand that all educators regard as insulting. We also have not reached agreement on SEA’s proposals designed to reign in the over-testing of students or to create building-level equity teams to address the barriers faced by children of color in receiving a quality education.”
There is good news, however. Russell says, “ because I have never seen my coworkers and our union as organized and united as we are now.”
And the what does Seattle Public Schools (SPS) say?
According to the press release on Sept. 8, these are the points noted:
–SPS has offered $62 million as a counter to the $172 million worth of asks of SEA
— Significant staff increases for special education
–Wage increases
–30 minutes of additional student instructional time in year 3
— “We gave that proposal just before midnight last night and are awaiting a response from SEA”
— SPS bargaining team continues to be ready and available to meet
–“We ask that families please have a contingency plan in place for childcare, in case school does not start tomorrow
We hope both SPS and SEA are able to work out a resolution soon. (end)