SEATTLE — The Seattle Education Association (SEA), a union representing 6,000 professionals in Seattle Public Schools, voted to ratify a tentative agreement with the school district.
According to SEA, the agreement includes a new, input- and data-driven process to improve Special Education services. It also includes several new measures that reduce the growing pressure on educators, from protected planning and collaboration time to increased staffing of nurses, psychologists, and social workers or counselors.
“We’re really proud of the work every member did to get us to this agreement,” said Ibi Idowu, Special Education teacher and President of SEA. “We can make gains even in times of budget challenges when we prioritize our students and our classrooms.”
The tentative agreement followed 30 bargaining sessions with Seattle Public Schools.
SEA members authorized the bargaining team to call a strike if SPS didn’t reach an agreement by Sept. 2.
The district and union reached a tentative agreement on Sept. 1.
The next step is for the school board to ratify the agreement, which is expected within days.