As the deadline for negotiations approaches, the Seattle Public Schools and its teachers` union are working to come to an agreement on a new contract. The previous contract expired in August of 2019, and since then, negotiations have been ongoing.
The main sticking points in the negotiations are compensation and workload. The union is calling for a 15% salary increase over three years, while the district is offering a 10.5% increase over four years. Additionally, the union is asking for more time for teachers to plan and grade, as well as less administrative work.
The district has stated that they do not have the funds to meet all of the union`s demands and have suggested using state funds earmarked for teacher salaries to help cover the cost. However, the union has pushed back, arguing that those funds should be used to increase salaries for all teachers, not just those in Seattle.
The negotiations have also brought up larger issues around education funding in Washington state. In 2018, the state Supreme Court ruled that the state had not adequately funded education, leading to a $2 billion increase in education spending. However, some argue that this increase is not enough to fully support schools and teachers.
The negotiations are being closely watched by both teachers and parents in Seattle. A potential strike could disrupt the start of the school year, and parents are concerned about the impact on their children`s education.
Overall, the Seattle Public Schools teacher contract negotiations highlight the ongoing struggle to adequately fund and support education in the United States. Hopefully, an agreement can be reached that supports both teachers and students.