The clock is ticking for Seattle Public Schools and its teachers’ union to reach a contract agreement. Both sides face a deadline of 11:59 p.m. Tuesday to reach a deal, or the school district will not start classes on time Wednesday.
Superintendent Ben Shuldiner said he was confident both sides could reach an agreement on time, but gave no specific indication that it was guaranteed.
Union negotiators are seeking, in part, higher wages for paraprofessionals and office professionals, smaller class sizes and support for special education services.
Special education support has emerged as a key sticking point between the two sides. Both sides have stressed adequate support is key, but they have failed to agree on what that support should look like.
A state mediator was brought in over the weekend to assist with negotiations, though union representatives reported no new major movement following the mediator’s arrival.
The contract talks come as Seattle Public Schools works to close a multi-million budget shortfall.
Shuldiner stressed the financial burden Monday while speaking with reporters.
“It’s difficult because we’re broke,” he said, adding that if the district had money, he would love to “give it to everybody, but the problem is, we don’t.”
Educators and staff emphasized their focus remains on student needs during the bargaining process.
Lynne Oliphant, a retired substitute school nurse, spoke about the union’s stance at the bargaining table.
“It may appear that it’s just about us, but it’s not,” she said. “Students are not widgets. This is not a factory. This is about human beings, right? And we are willing to do what it takes so that we are best positioned to do the best job that we can possibly do for our students and families.”
KIRO 7 asked the district if it would consider opening up childcare programs for families if teachers strike.
“Sure, what we have to do is be really careful about what safety and security looks like, who would be able to staff those things,” Shuldiner said. “We have a lot of partners that are already in our schools.”
Shuldiner said that “certainly, if they’re able to provide it” the district would love to have that programming in place.
Local organizations are adjusting services too.
Boys & Girls Clubs of King County will also offer full-day programming for all students currently enrolled in afterschool care programs, through both clubhouses and school-based locations.
“Our priority is making sure that currently enrolled families have access to safe, reliable care through the ongoing negotiations and a potential teachers’ strike,” wrote Lori Bae, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. “To that end, and so that cost is not a barrier to participation, we’ll be offering full-day programming at a deeply discounted rate.”
New registrations are limited, but some Clubs do have space available. To locate your nearest Club location, visit https://bit.ly/bgckclocations. Visit https://bit.ly/bgckcreg to register for afterschool care and any of the other programs offered by BGCKC.
The Mayor’s Office also told KIRO 7 it was monitoring negotiations and would know more soon about whether the City would need to support families and how so.
Shuldiner directed parents with specific questions or concerns about their children to contact their school principals.
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