In an effort to reduce the 2026-2027 budget, Kent School District leaders reportedly are preparing to send out nonrenewal letters to as many as 408 provisional teachers in case not enough teachers leave through attrition.
District leaders fear enough teachers might not leave through retirement and resignation, to take a teaching job elsewhere or leave the profession. In fact, in a recent email to teachers, the district is offering a $500 incentive to teachers if they give an early notification (by March 14 to Human Resources) of retirement or resignation. How much that costs the district remains to be determined.
Leaders of the Kent Education Association (KEA, teachers union) spoke during the Feb. 11 Kent School Board meeting to explain what the district is considering with an estimated budget shortfall of $30.5 million in 2026-2027…