KENT, Wash. — The jobs of 200 teachers in Kent School District are on the line and the district blames a clerical error.
They will have to re-take a test that proves they’re qualified to teach.
If the teachers fail the test, they can't retake it for another 30 days and the district will have to scramble to come up with substitute teachers. The school year starts in four weeks.
The Kent School District sent letters to the teachers last week admitting that it missed two deadlines to send paperwork to the state that proves the teachers are highly qualified.
Christe Padilla, a longtime Kent teacher and president of the Kent Education Association, says teachers are now in a difficult situation.
"We've had people cancel trainings now so that they can practice for this test. It's been a major disruption in their lives. I mean, there's an emotional piece to it as well,” said Padilla.
The clerical error was discovered when a Kent teacher applied for an out of district job and an audit uncovered the nearly 200 teachers affected.
The district says it has apologized to the teachers.
KIRO
