ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:04 AM: Thanks to the texters who alerted us to this: The Seattle Education Association teachers union says its members have voted for a one-day walkout on Tuesday, May 19th, two weeks from today. The announcement was published via the SEA Facebook page last night:
With an 85% yes vote, Seattle educators have voted to join the wave of one day strikes over the legislature’s failure to fund education! The strike will be Tuesday, May 19. It’s time for reasonable class sizes and caseloads, and for livable wages!
As our partners at The Seattle Times point out, teachers in more than 20 other districts already have had this type of walkout or are planning one. Meantime, we checked with Seattle Public Schools to ask about their plan for the walkout date; spokesperson Stacy Howard tells WSB that the district has no official notification from SEA, but will comment once they do. So – updates to come.
ADDED 2:17 PM: Just in from SPS – a letter sent out by the superintendent to SPS staff, noting that school will be canceled May 19th and so an extra day is added at the end of the year, June 16th:
The Seattle Education Association (SEA) has voted to join in a statewide action against the legislature to protest the lack of education funding in our state. SEA is the organization of professionals and union that represents teachers in our district. This protest involves a one-day walkout.
SEA has selected May 19 as the day for their one-day walkout. Therefore, there will be no school for students on May 19, as teachers will not be at work on that day. SEA chose the day to provide the district two weeks of notice to work on arrangements in an effort to minimize disruption for students, parents and district staff to the greatest extent possible.
While there is no school for students on May 19, the school day will have to be made up, just as we would make up a snow day or other unforeseen calendar change. The make-up day will be added to the end of the school year. This means Tuesday, June 16, will become our last day of school and a work day for district staff.
The SEA action is not directed at Seattle Public School as a district, but is a statement to the state legislature about the current lack of adequate state funding for basic education and we share that concern. I thank you in advance for your understanding. If you have questions about your work schedule for next week, please work closely with your supervisor.
Sincerely,
Dr. Larry Nyland
Superintendent
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