Seattle Public Schools reveals price tag of teachers strike; negotiations to resume Saturday
SEATTLE -- On the third day of the teachers strike, Seattle Public Schools put a dollar figure to what the walkout is costing taxpayers.
They say it’s costing $100,000 for each day the teachers strike.
Most of that money goes toward office and food staff as well as security personnel. Those people have been on the payroll since Wednesday -- the first scheduled day of school -- despite the strike.
“The family support we have been receiving has been absolutely overwhelming, that's what is keeping me going,” teacher Emily Veling said.
Teachers held a read-in on Alki Beach Friday, a sea of red showing support for the strike.
“We want to let the district know we are ... with the teachers,” parent Odetta Owen said.
But not everyone feels the same way.
“I think the district came up with a good solution to everything that they wanted,” parent Sheridan Bradley said.
Bradley is a mother in between jobs right now. She's hoping for a resolution because her family's livelihood depends on it.
“I can’t go out and look for a job. I can’t do that if I have to take my kids with me,” Bradley said.
She says the community centers in her area open for drop-ins are all filled up.
“They are full, so, yeah, it’s hard,” Bradley said.
A video posted online shows a man blocking Seattle Schools Superintendent Larry Nyland from leaving one of the schools Thursday.
A man refused to budge from in front of Nyland’s car for well over a minute as teachers picketed close by.
“That one incident visually shows the animosity that is out there right now, that we all wish that did not exist, but no one should be put in that situation regardless of what side you are on,” Seattle Public Schools spokeswoman Stacy Howard said
.The Seattle Education Association says the man is not a teacher. They don’t condone aggressive behavior but they admit people are frustrated.
“Our kids have been suffering in one of the most affluent cities in the nation for quite some time and what our teachers are doing is trying to bring about change,” Owen said.
Teachers want less standardized testing and more pay.
“Absolutely in support of our union -- they have been absolutely phenomenal,” teacher Donna Rodenberg said.
But Bradley is concerned for her family, hoping the strike ends over the weekend.
“I think they are taking it too far. I think they were offered a pretty good pay raise,” Bradley said.
Negotiations broke down Tuesday night.
Friday afternoon, the two sides announced that after a productive day with mediators they will resume talks on Saturday. SPS says they will let parents know about school on Monday as soon as they know more.
SPS also says the school year will be extended due to the strike.