Being a parent is nonstop hard work, making it challenging to stay on top of news that impacts families in Washington state. This Hits Home is your weekly hit of news, commentary, and, occasionally, opinion. Want to have a say? Look for the “Take action” prompts. Here’s the update for the week of Aug. 24-30
Will SPS teachers strike, delaying start of school?
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and the Seattle Education Association (SEA), the union representing its teachers and other educators, met to try to move the needle on a new teachers’ contract. By Saturday evening, however, both sides were gearing up information campaigns for the increasing likelihood that an agreement will not be reached by Wednesday, the scheduled first day of school, and that teachers will strike. Their current contract ends on Monday. At a general meeting last Wednesday, union members approved a strike, “if necessary.”
SPS and SEA bargaining teams met Saturday; nearly 200 teachers gathered at Seattle’s Judkins Park to make strike signs. So far, the two sides have reached agreement on only about 20% of the 57 contract issues brought by the union. Check out The Seattle Times coverage of the sign-making event…