Nova HS students plan walkout in response to teacher transfers
At a press conference on the steps of Nova High School, students spoke about the impact teachers at the alternative public high school have had on their education and future.
At a press conference on the steps of Nova High School, students spoke about the impact teachers at the alternative public high school have had on their education and future.
Tentative contract agreement reached in week-long Tacoma teachers strike
TACOMA, Wash. -- Tacoma Public Schools and the Tacoma Education Association announced Thursday night that they have reached a tentative contract agreement.Teachers went on strike Sept. 6 -- which was supposed to be the first day of school -- to try to get larger pay raises than the district initially offered.The school district said classes are now scheduled to begin Monday, pending a positive ratification vote by the striking teachers.The Tacoma Education Association said it will be holding a membership meeting at 11 a.m. Friday, presumably for the teachers to vote on the tentative contract.
TACOMA, Wash. -- Tacoma Public Schools and the Tacoma Education Association announced Thursday night that they have reached a tentative contract agreement.Teachers went on strike Sept. 6 -- which was supposed to be the first day of school -- to try to get larger pay raises than the district initially offered.The school district said classes are now scheduled to begin Monday, pending a positive ratification vote by the striking teachers.The Tacoma Education Association said it will be holding a membership meeting at 11 a.m. Friday, presumably for the teachers to vote on the tentative contract.
Tacoma teachers say they feel 'disrespected' by school district
TACOMA, Wash. -- Tacoma Public Schools on Wednesday publicly released its newest teacher salary proposal -- one week after the educators went on strike.Officials say the new offer puts Tacoma teacher salary right in line with other school districts.“If you remember, we started at 3.1 percent as our offer.
TACOMA, Wash. -- Tacoma Public Schools on Wednesday publicly released its newest teacher salary proposal -- one week after the educators went on strike.Officials say the new offer puts Tacoma teacher salary right in line with other school districts.“If you remember, we started at 3.1 percent as our offer.
Eight state legislators sign letter trying to help end Tacoma teachers strike, lawmaker says
TACOMA, Wash. -- One state lawmaker says a letter she helped draft is intended to help Tacoma Public Schools officials end their teacher strike.State Rep.
TACOMA, Wash. -- One state lawmaker says a letter she helped draft is intended to help Tacoma Public Schools officials end their teacher strike.State Rep.
Striking Centralia teachers, district reach tentative pact; school to begin Wednesday
CENTRALIA, Wash. -- The Centralia school district announced Monday night that it had reached a tentative agreement with striking teachers and that classes for grades 1-12 will start on Wednesday.Cnetral School District 401 said details of its agreement with the Centralia Education Association will be made public after CEA members ratify the tentative contract agreement on Tuesday.Centralia teachers have been on strike since last Tuesday, Sept. 4.
CENTRALIA, Wash. -- The Centralia school district announced Monday night that it had reached a tentative agreement with striking teachers and that classes for grades 1-12 will start on Wednesday.Cnetral School District 401 said details of its agreement with the Centralia Education Association will be made public after CEA members ratify the tentative contract agreement on Tuesday.Centralia teachers have been on strike since last Tuesday, Sept. 4.
Longtime Tacoma teacher resigns amid strike, saying she's fed up with district's attitude
TACOMA, Wash. -- Some are calling her Tacoma's best teacher."I do it because it's the best job in the world.
TACOMA, Wash. -- Some are calling her Tacoma's best teacher."I do it because it's the best job in the world.
As strike enters 2nd week, Tacoma school district says what it is offering teachers is competitive
TACOMA, Wash. -- There is no telling when about 29,000 students in Tacoma will start the school year as the teachers strike entered a second week.Tacoma teachers say the damage has been done and some teachers are already looking to go to other districts.
TACOMA, Wash. -- There is no telling when about 29,000 students in Tacoma will start the school year as the teachers strike entered a second week.Tacoma teachers say the damage has been done and some teachers are already looking to go to other districts.
Day 3 of Puyallup teachers strike, no word yet whether school will start Monday
PUYALLUP, Wash. -- Puyallup teachers have been marching outside their respective schools for days but on Friday they took the strike closer to school administrators to protest salaries.Friday’s gathering was one of the largest teacher rallies so far this year.Hundreds of Puyallup teachers took over Pioneer Park on day 3 of the strike.They were loud enough to be heard across the street at the school district’s headquarters.“It’s pretty encouraging and motivating to see such a supportive group,” teacher Makynlie Jeffers said.Jeffers is a first year Puyallup teacher.“There are very few young beginning teachers,” Jeffers said.She says low pay for starting teachers is a big reason for the shortage.“The number one thing people say is they don’t make any money,” Jeffers said.Before gathering at Pioneer Park, teachers surrounded the school district’s office.Many in the community honked in support as teachers circled the building.“We feel the love, it’s time we feel the love from our school district,” teacher Melissa Taylor said.But on its website, the school district says teachers do make competitive wages.Days before teachers went on strike, the district says they offered a 6.6% pay raise, bringing beginner teacher salaries to $53,035.
PUYALLUP, Wash. -- Puyallup teachers have been marching outside their respective schools for days but on Friday they took the strike closer to school administrators to protest salaries.Friday’s gathering was one of the largest teacher rallies so far this year.Hundreds of Puyallup teachers took over Pioneer Park on day 3 of the strike.They were loud enough to be heard across the street at the school district’s headquarters.“It’s pretty encouraging and motivating to see such a supportive group,” teacher Makynlie Jeffers said.Jeffers is a first year Puyallup teacher.“There are very few young beginning teachers,” Jeffers said.She says low pay for starting teachers is a big reason for the shortage.“The number one thing people say is they don’t make any money,” Jeffers said.Before gathering at Pioneer Park, teachers surrounded the school district’s office.Many in the community honked in support as teachers circled the building.“We feel the love, it’s time we feel the love from our school district,” teacher Melissa Taylor said.But on its website, the school district says teachers do make competitive wages.Days before teachers went on strike, the district says they offered a 6.6% pay raise, bringing beginner teacher salaries to $53,035.
With strike on, Tacoma schools will offer free breakfast, lunch to students at 12 different schools
TACOMA, Wash. -- Tacoma classrooms were closed Thursday on what was supposed to be the first day of school due to a teacher strike.Teachers picketed for hours throughout the day.
TACOMA, Wash. -- Tacoma classrooms were closed Thursday on what was supposed to be the first day of school due to a teacher strike.Teachers picketed for hours throughout the day.
Bargaining continues day before district plans to take Tumwater teachers to court over strike
TUMWATER, Wash. -- The Tumwater School District is taking teachers to court on Friday in hopes of forcing striking teachers back into the classroom.And despite an upcoming legal battle, teachers say they are still not backing down.The teachers strike began Tuesday in Tumwater, and there is no telling when kids will start school.Tumwater teachers say the state Supreme Court's McCleary decision and the Legislature's action last year pumped $2 billion into public education this year so they want their compensation to go up with those new dollars.On Thursday, teachers picketed outside school.“We’ve been marching for seven and half hours a day,” teacher Doug Peltier said.They are hoping negotiations will result in a historic pay increase.“I know the bargaining team has been quiet about what they are asking for,” Peltier said.But the district is spilling the numbers.District officials said that last week,before they had to call in a state mediator, they had offered teachers a 13% to 16% pay hike over two years.But the district says union leaders were asking for a 26% to 31% salary jump in one year.“I agree that we have to pay teachers well -- most of the folks in the state would agree -- but when the demand is a nearly 30% wage increase, that seems unreasonable,” state Sen.
TUMWATER, Wash. -- The Tumwater School District is taking teachers to court on Friday in hopes of forcing striking teachers back into the classroom.And despite an upcoming legal battle, teachers say they are still not backing down.The teachers strike began Tuesday in Tumwater, and there is no telling when kids will start school.Tumwater teachers say the state Supreme Court's McCleary decision and the Legislature's action last year pumped $2 billion into public education this year so they want their compensation to go up with those new dollars.On Thursday, teachers picketed outside school.“We’ve been marching for seven and half hours a day,” teacher Doug Peltier said.They are hoping negotiations will result in a historic pay increase.“I know the bargaining team has been quiet about what they are asking for,” Peltier said.But the district is spilling the numbers.District officials said that last week,before they had to call in a state mediator, they had offered teachers a 13% to 16% pay hike over two years.But the district says union leaders were asking for a 26% to 31% salary jump in one year.“I agree that we have to pay teachers well -- most of the folks in the state would agree -- but when the demand is a nearly 30% wage increase, that seems unreasonable,” state Sen.
Washougal teachers ratify contract agreement with 18% pay hike, end strike that began Aug. 28
WASHOUGAL, Wash. -- Teachers in Washougal on Thursday ratified a new two-year contract, ending a strike that began Aug. 28.Under the new deal, the beginning teacher salary this year will be $51,434 and the maximum will be $96,944, the Washougal Association of Educators said."On average, Washougal teachers will be receiving an 18 percent salary increase this school year, which will help us continue attracting and keeping great educators for Washougal students," said Washougal Association of Educators President Eric Engebretson. "We hope our settlement will inspire superintendents in other striking school districts to negotiate the pay raises their teachers deserve.
WASHOUGAL, Wash. -- Teachers in Washougal on Thursday ratified a new two-year contract, ending a strike that began Aug. 28.Under the new deal, the beginning teacher salary this year will be $51,434 and the maximum will be $96,944, the Washougal Association of Educators said."On average, Washougal teachers will be receiving an 18 percent salary increase this school year, which will help us continue attracting and keeping great educators for Washougal students," said Washougal Association of Educators President Eric Engebretson. "We hope our settlement will inspire superintendents in other striking school districts to negotiate the pay raises their teachers deserve.
About 7,000 teachers on strike in Western Washington; 120,000 students affected
SEATTLE -- Nearly 7,000 teachers in 11 school districts were on strike Wednesday in Washington.Those districts are Tacoma, Puyallup, Tukwila, Tumwater, Centralia, Stanwood-Camano, Rainier, Evergreen, Washugal, Battle Ground and Longview.These teachers educate about 120,000 students.Late Wednesday, striking Washougal teachers reached a tentative contract agreement with their school district.
SEATTLE -- Nearly 7,000 teachers in 11 school districts were on strike Wednesday in Washington.Those districts are Tacoma, Puyallup, Tukwila, Tumwater, Centralia, Stanwood-Camano, Rainier, Evergreen, Washugal, Battle Ground and Longview.These teachers educate about 120,000 students.Late Wednesday, striking Washougal teachers reached a tentative contract agreement with their school district.
To Washington state schools chief, security upgrades important, but something else more vital
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Chris Reykdal is in the business of schools as the Washington superintendent of public instruction.Q13 News wanted his perspective on physical school security at a time when mass shootings have been ingrained in our conscience.Schools have individualized safety plans but there are no requirements of what it should look like.“We are very much a local-control state, so we don’t tell them (the individual school districts) how,” Reykdal said.For example, most schools now do the run, hide, fight drills for active shooter scenarios, but some schools practice it more than others.“There is that balance of practicing it and not creating the anxiety,” Reykdal said.But the question is why isn’t there a standardized rule for drills and other security measures?“Well, I do think that’s the prerogative of the state Legislature; they can make decisions that they want a certain profile of every school when it comes to how to enter the building, or how we secure the front of the building,” Reykdal said.But even if the Legislature were to set universal standards and pump more money into securing schools, Reykdal questions if that’s the answer.“There is a legitimate debate.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Chris Reykdal is in the business of schools as the Washington superintendent of public instruction.Q13 News wanted his perspective on physical school security at a time when mass shootings have been ingrained in our conscience.Schools have individualized safety plans but there are no requirements of what it should look like.“We are very much a local-control state, so we don’t tell them (the individual school districts) how,” Reykdal said.For example, most schools now do the run, hide, fight drills for active shooter scenarios, but some schools practice it more than others.“There is that balance of practicing it and not creating the anxiety,” Reykdal said.But the question is why isn’t there a standardized rule for drills and other security measures?“Well, I do think that’s the prerogative of the state Legislature; they can make decisions that they want a certain profile of every school when it comes to how to enter the building, or how we secure the front of the building,” Reykdal said.But even if the Legislature were to set universal standards and pump more money into securing schools, Reykdal questions if that’s the answer.“There is a legitimate debate.
Teachers in Tumwater, Stanwood-Camano, Rainier districts go on strike; Arlington gets tentative pact
TUKWILA, Wash. -- On Labor Day, school district workers such as Rhonda Lee couldn't take the day off.Lee’s office is full of school supplies at the Tukwila School District headquarters.“All of these backpacks are all donated,” Lee said.Supplies may be ready for Tukwila students, but Lee, the district's spokesperson, isn't sure when kids will actually be in class.Lee is working overtime keeping track of negotiations over teacher salaries.“We are hoping, hoping to avoid any kind of controversy,” Lee said.On Monday night, Stanwood-Camano teachers announced they were on strike after not reaching a tentative agreement with the district.
TUKWILA, Wash. -- On Labor Day, school district workers such as Rhonda Lee couldn't take the day off.Lee’s office is full of school supplies at the Tukwila School District headquarters.“All of these backpacks are all donated,” Lee said.Supplies may be ready for Tukwila students, but Lee, the district's spokesperson, isn't sure when kids will actually be in class.Lee is working overtime keeping track of negotiations over teacher salaries.“We are hoping, hoping to avoid any kind of controversy,” Lee said.On Monday night, Stanwood-Camano teachers announced they were on strike after not reaching a tentative agreement with the district.
Will school start or will teachers strike? Districts negotiate over holiday weekend
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- There will be no holiday weekend for school districts still trying to avoid teacher strikes just days before the first day of school.Roughly half of the school districts across the state are still at an impasse with teachers unions over salaries.The battle is over $2 billion in the state budget for teacher salaries, a result of the state supreme court's McCleary decision, which pumps $9.2 billion into public education over the next six years."McCleary added more money than we've seen, probably ever, to our school system and as a result, every district in this state will have more money for education," said Linda Mullen, communications director for the Washington Education Association.This year, some teacher unions, like in Issaquah, have successfully negotiated double-digit pay raises.
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- There will be no holiday weekend for school districts still trying to avoid teacher strikes just days before the first day of school.Roughly half of the school districts across the state are still at an impasse with teachers unions over salaries.The battle is over $2 billion in the state budget for teacher salaries, a result of the state supreme court's McCleary decision, which pumps $9.2 billion into public education over the next six years."McCleary added more money than we've seen, probably ever, to our school system and as a result, every district in this state will have more money for education," said Linda Mullen, communications director for the Washington Education Association.This year, some teacher unions, like in Issaquah, have successfully negotiated double-digit pay raises.
Tukwila Education Association calls a teachers strike effective Wednesday, the first day of classes
TUKWILA, Wash. -- The Tukwila Education Association on Thursday called a teachers strike effective next Wednesday, the first day of classes in the new school year.The teachers' union said it held a four-hour bargaining session Wednesday with the school district, but came away without an agreement.
TUKWILA, Wash. -- The Tukwila Education Association on Thursday called a teachers strike effective next Wednesday, the first day of classes in the new school year.The teachers' union said it held a four-hour bargaining session Wednesday with the school district, but came away without an agreement.
Many school districts still in negotiations over teacher pay, with only days before classes start
SPANAWAY, Wash. -- Dozens of Bethel School District teachers filed into Liberty Middle School on Thursday to learn the latest offer on pay increases.
SPANAWAY, Wash. -- Dozens of Bethel School District teachers filed into Liberty Middle School on Thursday to learn the latest offer on pay increases.
Parents forced to look for last-minute child care if teachers go on strike
SEATTLE -- Samantha Ramirez is counting down the days.“I am going to be so excited because I am going to be in second grade,” Ramirez said.Back to school items are already checked off.“I have everything,” Ramirez said.What they don’t have is the green light that Samantha’s elementary school in Tacoma will start on time.“I just have to figure it out if they go on strike,” said Samantha’s mom, Zohar Ramirez.Zohar is a single mom of three and a strike would throw a wrench into her plans.In Pierce County, teachers in Tacoma Public Schools and the Bethel School District are still fighting for more pay.With most classes scheduled to start next week, the drama over contract negotiations has a big population of families in Western Washington wondering if their teachers will strike.“It’s our turn to demand that money and that we deserve that money,” Laura Hittenrauch, with Bethel Education Association, said.On Tuesday night, Seattle teachers voted to authorize a strike, meaning the district and the union would have to agree on a deal by Wednesday, Sept. 5, to avoid the disruption of the first week of school.Dozens of districts have agreed to double digit pay increases for their teachers but there are many others still in limbo with just days before the start of school.If there is a strike, the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound will open their doors to any family.
SEATTLE -- Samantha Ramirez is counting down the days.“I am going to be so excited because I am going to be in second grade,” Ramirez said.Back to school items are already checked off.“I have everything,” Ramirez said.What they don’t have is the green light that Samantha’s elementary school in Tacoma will start on time.“I just have to figure it out if they go on strike,” said Samantha’s mom, Zohar Ramirez.Zohar is a single mom of three and a strike would throw a wrench into her plans.In Pierce County, teachers in Tacoma Public Schools and the Bethel School District are still fighting for more pay.With most classes scheduled to start next week, the drama over contract negotiations has a big population of families in Western Washington wondering if their teachers will strike.“It’s our turn to demand that money and that we deserve that money,” Laura Hittenrauch, with Bethel Education Association, said.On Tuesday night, Seattle teachers voted to authorize a strike, meaning the district and the union would have to agree on a deal by Wednesday, Sept. 5, to avoid the disruption of the first week of school.Dozens of districts have agreed to double digit pay increases for their teachers but there are many others still in limbo with just days before the start of school.If there is a strike, the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound will open their doors to any family.
Teacher strikes in Washington delay school for over 75,000 students
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — The school year has been delayed for more than 75,000 students in southwestern Washington state after teachers and districts failed to reach contract agreements mostly over salaries.Teachers in seven school districts were on strike Wednesday, according to the Washington Education Association, which represents state teachers.More walkouts were possible in the state as teachers union and the districts try to negotiate salary agreements.Educators in Seattle — the state's largest school district — voted Tuesday to authorize a strike unless a deal is reached by the time classes are set to begin on Sept. 5.
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — The school year has been delayed for more than 75,000 students in southwestern Washington state after teachers and districts failed to reach contract agreements mostly over salaries.Teachers in seven school districts were on strike Wednesday, according to the Washington Education Association, which represents state teachers.More walkouts were possible in the state as teachers union and the districts try to negotiate salary agreements.Educators in Seattle — the state's largest school district — voted Tuesday to authorize a strike unless a deal is reached by the time classes are set to begin on Sept. 5.