Seattle Public Schools and teachers union ratify new contract
Seattle school board approves new teacher's contract
The Seattle Public Schools board officially ratified a new contract with the Seattle Education Association on Thursday.
SEATTLE - The Seattle Public Schools board officially ratified a new contract with the Seattle Education Association on Thursday.
This comes after the union, which represents 6,000 teachers, paraprofessionals and school staff, voted to ratify the new contract on Tuesday. Both the district and teachers union agreed to terms of the new contract on Sept. 1, averting a potential strike on the first day of school.
The deal follows 30 bargaining sessions since August, and establishes a firm financial framework for the district over the next three years.
The Seattle Public Schools administration building in Seattle, Wash. (FOX 13 Seattle)
What they're saying:
"This contract puts us on a really good, firm setting, that we know what our finances are going to look like for the next three years," said Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Ben Shuldiner following the contract agreement on Sept. 1.
The Seattle Education Association said the agreement introduces a new input- and data-driven process for special education services, creates protections for planning and collaboration time for educators, and increases staffing for school nurses, psychologists, social workers and counselors.
"We’re really proud of the work every member did to get us to this agreement," said Seattle Education Association president Ibi Idowu. "We can make gains even in times of budget challenges when we prioritize our students and our classrooms."
Seattle Public Schools avoids strike after approving late-minute contract
Contract negotiations with Seattle teachers came down to the fire Tuesday night, with Seattle Public Schools agreeing to salary increases among other concessions to the teachers union. But big questions regarding the district's budget linger.
The backstory:
All classes for Seattle Public Schools started on time Sept. 2 after a late-night bargaining session, reaching an agreement hours before the deadline. Preschool and kindergarten students started later on Sept. 8.
The final contract includes an 8.8% total pay increase to teachers, distributed over three years. The union initially sought up to a 12% pay increase for its members.
Seattle schools avoid strike, but face ongoing budget issues
Seattle Public Schools opened its doors as scheduled after the district and its educators reached a last-minute tentative agreement, averting a potential strike in the state’s largest school district.
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The Source: Information in this story came from Seattle Public Schools, the Seattle Education Association and previous FOX 13 Seattle reporting.