SEATTLE SCHOOL STRIKE: What to know for Thursday

As reported here earlier, the Seattle Education Association went on strike first thing this morning. While talks are continuing, at this point it looks like the strike will continue for a second day Thursday. Here’s the information we have so far:

(Photo sent by BJ: Lafayette Elementary strikers this afternoon)

UNION: As of an early-evening statement, SEA says, “The Bargaining Team met with SPS in joint session with the mediator today starting at 10:30 a.m. and continues to make progress. SEA remains united for student supports, reasonable workloads, and respectful pay.” That followed negotiations through much of the night, according to SEA president Jennifer Matter, with whom we spoke at Sanislo Elementary this morning shortly after picketing began. The union statement says: “Unless the district comes to an agreement tonight, the 6,000 Paraprofessionals, Substitutes, Office Professionals, and teachers will be forced to continue the strike and picket again on Thursday from 7:30 – 3:30 pm.” When an agreement is reached, Matter told us, they will be able to call a general meeting “quickly” online to consider it. The union’s bargaining-info page, including a comparison of proposals, is here.

DISTRICT: Seattle Public Schools says that from here on out, it will update families daily by 3 pm. Today’s update, as we noted briefly earlier, officially canceled classes again tomorrow (Thursday, September 8th), which would have been the second day of the 2022-2023 school year. The SPS update also mentions that a mediator is participating: “While we don’t yet have an agreement, both the district and SEA are committed to working on our shared challenges. We are certain that an agreement can be reached that both values educators and serves students.” The district’s bargaining-info page is here.

MEALS: Again tomorrow, the district will offer sack lunches for all students at certain schools. Early this afternoon, we stopped by the Chief Sealth International High School/Denny International Middle School distribution site, which is in the dock area on the east side of the campuses:

The full list of meal sites is on this district webpage.

CITY RESOURCES: The city has published an update on various resources to assist families – see it here. Key point – If needed, starting on Monday, the city will offer eight community centers – two in West Seattle – as “recreation activity hubs”:

Starting Monday, September 12

Hours of operation will be 9:00 am to 5:30 pm at designated centers
Age group 5-12 (school age)
Designated community centers
Offering free recreational programs and activities
Families will be able to register online via ActiveNet starting Thursday, Sept 8th
(Here are the two West Seattle) designated community centers:

Alki Community Center
High Point Community Center

We’ll update if any other information emerges tonight.

Charlie September 7, 2022 (8:28 pm)

Our family is so disappointed in these teachers. It seems really selfish to just say they’re not going to do their jobs due to the outlined sticking points. After the past two years these kids have had, they simply don’t deserve this. Sure the teachers have had a hard time, but that’s not unique to them. We all have. They need to act like adults and get back to work.

Jennifer September 7, 2022 (8:58 pm)

You’re absolutely right. There is nothing on the table here that is worth further harming our kids by keeping them out of school. The teachers and the district should be ashamed of themselves.
- Colby September 8, 2022 (12:09 am)
  
  They aren’t actually keeping them out of school. No matter how many days they miss at the start of the school year, they will make up; as they are required to have 180 days of school. It just means you may have to reschedule your vacation to Cancun by a week.
  - Frustrated September 8, 2022 (4:38 am)
    
    We all know that the quality of leaning and teaching goes downhill at the end of school. So whereas the school year may be extended and kids may physically be in chairs at school, the kids won’t get the benefit of actual leaning like they would if they were in school today. They’ll just get to watch another movie with their classmates—the teachers saying they’re exhausted from the school year. Kids do suffer here.
    - Colby September 8, 2022 (8:43 am)
      
      Not necessarily true. In elementary the first couple weeks are always spent setting expectations and routines. Towards the end of the year, students are still doing curriculum to the last week. We also do not know if the missed days will be added at the end of the year, or take. From mid-year breaks.
    - andrew September 8, 2022 (9:40 am)
      
      How does this make any sense if it’s the same amount of days?
- Special Ed teacher here September 8, 2022 (9:49 am)
  
  I am a Seattle public school teacher I voted against the strike and I agree we should be back in the class room.
  - Another sped teacher September 8, 2022 (1:21 pm)
    
    How many students did you case manage last year?
    - Special Ed teacher here September 8, 2022 (1:56 pm)
      
      In my personal professional belief students are not data points to be counted as such.As a SPED teacher it seems you should have asked how many qualifying areas are on my caseload, how many SDI areas per student/in total do I serve, how many minutes in each area in what area are they being served ( SPED or GEN ED), how are those minutes calculated in real time, how many other agencies/professionals am I required to connect with (some even weekly) to share data. We are now serving NO ONE, being part of the society that enables underserved populations to remain such. Returning to work with a TA while continuing to negotiate is my answer. There will never be a perfect CBA (contract) as needs, funding, society, politics, changes but to add such stress (with viable other options) to so many people is beyond what I am willing to support.
Agreed September 7, 2022 (9:02 pm)

Agree completely. The work they do is too critical to walk off the job. Many professions in Washington have strong unions and negotiate contracts while not stopping work and services. Do informational picketing like many of the other service unions, work, and negotiate. The theatrics just hurt kids and working families, especially working mothers.
- Al King September 8, 2022 (6:58 am)
  
  Heres your chance! Work on legislation that say’s if teachers strike they will be JAILED for “abandoning the children”
Mickey September 7, 2022 (9:09 pm)

Agreed. We have some of the best paid teachers in the country, and our kids are sitting at home, eager to learn, while the union and district sling mud at eachother. It’s just gross.
Colby September 7, 2022 (10:36 pm)

You must not be friends with any Teachers. I’ve been married to one for 16 years. I can tell you it’s one of the most mentally, emotionally, and at times physically taxing jobs out there. What SEA is asking is completely reasonable, not to mention puts resources in place to help students succeed. If you know teachers, you know they do nothing out of selfishness.
- Lafayette Leopard September 8, 2022 (3:49 pm)
  
  Thanks for your support, Colby. Our special ed students deserve better.
Alki resident September 7, 2022 (10:38 pm)

Lol ok Charlie. Thanks for understanding.
G September 7, 2022 (10:40 pm)

I’d encourage you to look into what they’re asking for rather than insulting and belittling teachers by saying they’re acting like children.

One of the biggest issues is the plan to move special needs children into classes while increasing class sizes and removing support staff. Teachers are then expected to pick up the slack by simultaneously educating a full classroom while giving extra attention to special needs kids without support.

This will be an absolute disaster to all kids, but especially to the special needs kids who are already at the highest risk.

A few days of missed school is nothing compared to the lost education that will happen over the course of the school year if this goes through.
- zark00 September 8, 2022 (9:47 am)
  
  G – This take is not really accurate. This seems be a common misconception. There is no plan to ‘remove support staff’. In the new inclusion model, which SEA and SPS have already agreed on, SPS removed explicit resource ratios. As in, if there’s 10 kids there has to be one ft teacher and one half time support staff, stuff like that. SPS says they plan to keep adequate support staff, but they refuse to put that in writing in the contract. SEA says that’s not good enough, they don’t trust that SPS will provide adequate staffing without it being explicitly stated in the contract. That’s basically the crux of what they’re striking for. It’s a trust issue between SEA and SPS. Regardless of who you support here SPS has, more often than not, failed to honor promised resources that they are not contractually obliged to provide. SEA is not unreasonable in not trusting SPS here, their track record speaks for itself.
Anne September 7, 2022 (10:49 pm)

Wow- so basically teachers should just “ suck it up” because we’ve all had hard times -too? They are acting like adults- advocating for the best possible learning environment for their students- seems like we should not only be supportive of that – but demanding that.
- Charlie September 8, 2022 (10:14 am)
  
  Yes, suck it up and get back to work. Could not have said it better myself. Nothing is ever perfect and to withhold a child’s education for your own gain is just selfish.
  - Brian September 8, 2022 (6:01 pm)
    
    This explains why I can never get hired as a boot polisher in this town. You seem to have the market cornered.
hush September 8, 2022 (2:33 am)

oh hush! nice try, pretending you’re not upset for your own selfish reasons. these teachers deserve better, and so do the students they’re literally striking for. maybe do some research next time.
Jay September 8, 2022 (9:09 am)

Have you taught a class with special ed kids in it, Karen? I have. The last class before I changed careers had a nonverbal autistic girl. Great kid. Managed to communicate with her after a few months via writing notes. She got as much of my attention as the rest of the class combined, though. Support for special ed would have been great. So if you’re really concerned about the quality of education, you’d support the teachers here. Seattle teachers have like 35 kids in their classes with no limit to the amount of special ed kids with no support. It’s a losing situation for everyone.
- zark00 September 8, 2022 (9:55 am)
  
  This is not correct. Classes do have a limit on the number of SPED and ELL students, and the last contract had specific ratios of teacher and support staff to number of SPED and ELL students. The new contract changes the old inclusion model to the new one, which was agreed upon by teachers and SPS. When SPS sent the final proposal with the new inclusion model they removed those specific ratios. Teachers asked for them back. SPS said no, they will not have specific support ratios. That’s the sticking point. There is a common misconception that it’s SPS refusing to provide support staff, it’s not, it’s a sticking point in contract language. This is a trust issue between SPS and SEA. SPS says ‘just trust us, we’ll give you enough support’. SEA says you never have, ever, without that support being explicitly stated in the contract. And here we are. No matter who you support, SPS has a steady track record of failing to provide anything not explicitly written in the contract.
- Lafayette Leopard September 8, 2022 (3:51 pm)
  
  Thanks for your support, Jay. SpEd kids deserve better.
WStruthteller September 8, 2022 (9:11 am)

It’s a shame when people throw insults at public servants (in this case teachers). Here to raise your children for small wages. If it’s so important of a position, triple the pay and show them you care about your children.

Herongrrrl September 7, 2022 (9:01 pm)

I have been an SPS parent for 18 years and I stand in full support of the teachers. They are looking out for the most vulnerable students, and in doing so improve the educational experience for ALL students. Thank you, SEA teachers, for always going the extra mile for our kids! I know you would rather be in the classroom with them than trying to show SPS appropriate priorities.

Lafayette Leopard September 8, 2022 (3:52 pm)

Thank you for your support, Herongrrrl!

Lauren September 7, 2022 (9:34 pm)

Full support for the teachers. Standing up for underserved populations is tough, even without the naysayers. You’ve got my respect.

Michelle W September 7, 2022 (10:00 pm)

I went thru past Seattle Times articles and noticed the SEA had put its terms out a while ago, there was even a link to them in one article. Also there has been plenty of coverage about the neglect of IEP / SPED students during the pandemic. I don’t see why anyone is surprised or upset at what the teachers are fighting for.

The question we all should be asking is why has the district not done more with information they have had for months? I mean they didn’t show for one meeting because, what, they had Labor Day plans in Chelan? They refused to release class assignments on the Source because, why, letting families plan would be giving in? Who knows. What I do know is that I am not at all a fan of this school delay and at the same time, I 100% support the teachers.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/u-s-department-of-education-launches-civil-rights-investigation-over-seattles-special-education-services-during-pandemic/

Oohlala September 8, 2022 (12:29 am)

Well let’s be real…just because the union shouts “it’s for the kids!” doesn’t mean that tells the whole story. Sometimes the demands of SEA have the feeling of Grandpa’s old “I only read Playboy for the articles!” argument. Sure, there were some award winning journalists who wrote for the publication, no one can argue that! But there was also quite a bit of “Ooh la la!” to keep the pages turning. When the SEA and teachers say, “BUT ITS FOR YOUR KIDS, SEATTLE!” Sure, some of it might be! But more money for staff and the demand for vacation days before and after scheduled district holidays, which, if granted, would paralyze the system, ain’t for the kids…it’s “Ooh la la!” for the teachers. So which is it, teachers, are you here for the articles or for the ooh la la? And if it’s both, have the guts to say it. I’d respect you more. Because no one ever believed Grandpa read Playboy just for the news.

Tanya September 8, 2022 (7:35 am)

Majority of these comments have no idea what teachers go through on a daily basis. They are mentally and physically drained. To top it off they aren’t getting paid what they’re worth. Grow up.

andrew September 8, 2022 (9:44 am)

You would think that parents would have an idea on how tough it would be to be a teacher. Taking care of my 3 kids can be draining. I can’t imagine trying to teach and have 20 kids pay attention to you for the school day.

North Admiral Resident September 8, 2022 (7:43 am)

Kids don’t want to go to school. I remember being a kid and I loved; snow days, the Summer, pretty much any day off. The kids are fine with this. Parents on the other hand…….

Alkilocal September 8, 2022 (9:09 am)

Thank you Admiral resident for the emotional intelligent tone deaf response. This is not snow closure where kids of all schools are closed to play or gather. Friends from all other districts and private schools are with each other. On top of this, the days are made up. So can you guess what happens when our kids are still in school till the end of June while all their friends are on summer break? Do you understand the bi modality of the kids being punished here? Let alone parents once aging picking up the slack and taking emergency time off work. More disproportionate disadvantages on women and communities of color and lower socio economic standing. I’m applauding you being a voter in our area.
- Colby September 8, 2022 (10:00 am)
  
  Alkilocal, “parents picking up the slack.” You mean, because teachers are striking, (for better resources for children and a manageable workload) you are mad that parents have to…parent, instead of just dumping their kids off and forgetting about them for 6 hours.
zark00 September 8, 2022 (10:05 am)

No, kids are not ‘fine with this’. A 3rd grader might be ok with an extra day off, high schoolers are not ‘ok’. This is mentally and emotionally draining, they’ve lost even more faith in the education system in Seattle, and they’re falling even further behind in their final years of school, staring down the real possibility that this may have a negative impact on any plans for college. This isn’t a snow day. Regardless of who you support here the kids are taking the hit. The entire dispute hinges on SPS refusing to put things they are promising to do into writing. SPS said ‘you will get enough support’. SEA said Can you put that in writing so it’s a guarantee? SPS said no, we will not be contractually obligated to provide what we’ve promised, teachers have to just trust us.

LocalDoc September 8, 2022 (7:52 am)

We stand with you SEA – thank you! SPS and the City are the ones behind here!

Jort September 8, 2022 (8:37 am)

I’m sure we can expect a bunch more comments from people who seem to suddenly and mostly care about “learning and education” for children only when unionized teachers demand better treatment. This is the only tool teachers have for improving their work conditions. Labor action is powerful and it is substantial and if management insists on being recalcitrant, this is what happens.

Brian September 8, 2022 (8:40 am)

I have two kids who attend Gatewood and the teachers have my entire family’s full and compete support to strike to get what is needed. As always, direct action gets the goods.

Alkimom September 8, 2022 (8:54 am)

I am a RN in a hospital. I’d gladly trade for so called teacher poor work environments. I Do not get these raises or special FTEs to help. SPS has a strong proposal for task forces. These are not the issues to close public education over. All the Covid triggered depression and anxiety is being triggered with re-traumatized events of being the only school with shut doors. We have gone backwards at my house. Took my special Ed student to our local Maddison middle school for student resource pick up, because that helped during Covid. And we had to cross a picket line of teachers to access the table. My special Ed student was viable shaken and ran back to the car. I swiftly grabbed some things for them. It was not easy gaining access to the student resources. Shame on you teachers who are there. Nobody cared. Nobody stopped. Nobody helped. Just took pictures of each other. While my special Ed kid was visibly shaken. Remove yourselves from the student protected places! Can we protect our kids from these triggering events and just get them back with friends like every other school.

ColumbiaChris September 8, 2022 (10:13 am)

Solidarity with the teachers.

zark00 September 8, 2022 (10:16 am)

I still support SEA over SPS, but, The SPED lives matter sign is really tacky and really insulting to the memories of people actually murdered at the hands of police. The party SEA threw, smiling and laughing and taking selfies when they announced the strike was unbelievably tone deaf and insulting to students suffering during this mess. SEA have lost support with these really ill thought out moves already, they need to stick to the points of the strike, keep this serious and focused, and stop treating this strike as a fun game. Comment from a high schooler watching the strike announcement party: “This sucks. Glad their having fun. It looks like a party not a strike”. Still supports SEA but was not impressed.

Judah September 8, 2022 (10:44 am)

Fulltime working parent with two SPS kids and I support the teachers!

Lina September 8, 2022 (11:55 am)

SEA and our teachers have my full support. Educators spend more waking hours with our children during the year than we do as parents. Supporting what the teachers are asking for (so they can do their jobs teaching OUR kids) IS supporting the health of our kids. It’s so basic. The vitriol towards teachers and the union is woefully misplaced, and is shameful. Show some respect for the people busting their butts to teach our city’s kids.

Localmom September 8, 2022 (1:10 pm)

I’m at the end of my string. Went to Maddison to pick up student resources.The tables were empty and no lunches were available. Staff said that no delivery was made. The teachers had heaps and heaps of food for teachers and nothing for kids. Several families walked past empty handed. No other school offering our kids anything in our area. Too much as I’m struggling to fit in work and keeping my kids (and me) emotionally sound. How is this for kids and families?? Crying.

No sack lunch September 8, 2022 (8:40 pm)

What happened to the meal site at Madison? Can someone at SPS please resolve the meal distribution issue asap?

Court September 8, 2022 (3:30 pm)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/this-adult-fight-about-seattle-schools-misses-bigger-issues/?amp=1I found this article very interesting. As a parent, I have already paid close to $1,000 to ensure my special needs child has some care while I work full time. I have cried about this and am stressed beyond belief. It’s not “privileged” to ask for some stability from public schools. We rely on them and make plans and it’s parents and children that suffer when this happens… we are the bargaing chips. We wonder why enrollment is down? Guess what… it’s because there is no school that has been reliably open. I support teachers, but I am a realist and I know there is a budget and guess what, sometimes we just have to make it work. I am starting to get very resentful that our kids and working families have suffered for years and now we finally have a chance to have normalcy and we decided to strike.

Sally September 8, 2022 (4:31 pm)

The kids should be priority, time and time again the kids are a second thought for this city in general and evidently for the teachers. What a message these kids have gotten over the last three years. The adults of this city need to do what is right for the kids and stop thinking of themselves.

New to Public Schools September 8, 2022 (4:34 pm)

This is our first year in Seattle Public Schools (transferred OUT of private – the grass is always greener!) In any event, everything I have read so far aligns squarely with the teachers being in the right. How can you expect teachers to implement the integration of special education students into general education classrooms with NO additional resources. In what way does not every student suffer in that scenario. I get that a strike is inconvenient but seriously, even for people that only care about their own kid and their own family’s needs, what the teachers are asking for will result in a better education for their kid.

Linda Mahr September 8, 2022 (5:57 pm)

EVERY TIME that I talked to my daughter who teaches at Garfield High last year, she sounded and expressed the same: she was barely holding on by threads and couldn’t believe how much worse things had gotten than the first year of the pandemic. A teacher even dropped dead at school, was found by her students and the administration just kept rolling on that day as if nothing had happened! If you want any capable individuals left to take serious care of your children and their learning, then you might want to seriously listen to what they have been going through and what they need to do their jobs!

Sorry, comment time is over.