No strikes to start school year

SEATTLE – All the state’s public schools started classes on time this fall, and most of the districts with open contracts reached agreements with their teachers unions.

More than 170 of the state’s 296 districts negotiated with teachers this fall, and all but a few have agreed on new contracts, according to the Washington Education Association, the statewide teachers union.

Seattle

In Seattle, both sides were reaching for superlatives to describe their high hopes for the five-year contract approved for the district’s 4,000 teachers and other education workers over Labor Day weekend. The deal makes them partners with the community in decisions about how best to use money, staff and equipment to help struggling students – to close the “achievement gap” between white students and others.

“It’s very exciting. It’s an opportunity that we need to grab onto and get people energized about,” said Seattle Education Association President Wendy Kimball. Asked if such an arrangement was new to the state, she said, “I think it might be new to the country.”

Kimball and district officials attributed the mutual respect and cooperation reflected by the pact to their need to work together after the district discovered a $35 million budget deficit two years ago – red ink many blamed on poor bookkeeping.

“It’s remarkable,” said district spokeswoman Patti Spencer, noting that while negotiations also produced raises for the teachers – 9 percent over four years and enough to rank the district fifth among 12 area districts in the fifth year – the focus for all parties was how to best help the district’s 45,000 students.

“This is like marching down the street together singing ‘Kumbayah,’” she said.

Not all districts have achieved that state of harmonious accord.

Vancouver

In Vancouver, where only certain portions of the contract were open to negotiation this fall, the teachers union has filed an unfair labor practices complaint against the district with the state Public Employee Relations Commission.

The issue is a side letter, negotiated annually since 1997, that allocates full-time media specialists and counselors and part-time nurses and intramural coordinators to middle schools.

The union is concerned that if the issue is not on the bargaining table, “we no longer have any say,” Roy Maier, executive director of the Vancouver Education Association, said Friday.

“We have chosen to let that letter expire,” said Lee Goeke, the district’s vice superintendent for human relations.

“What the letter does is obligate the district to allocate its resources for certified teachers to specific job categories,” Goeke said. “We feel the district has a right to allocate resources in the way that’s best for students.”

Other issues remain on the table, he said, but the district’s full contract does not expire until next year. Vancouver has about 20,000 students and 1,300 teachers.

Selah

Meanwhile, across the Cascades in Selah, talks have bogged down and the two sides are taking a break while awaiting appointment of a mediator from the employee-relations panel.

Neither side would discuss specifics.

“Both sides agree we better leave that to the mediator. Things are tense enough,” said union president John Sweezy. “We’ve agreed we probably need to cool our jets for a while. We’re a very small district and we know each other very well. Nobody’s wanting to make it personal.”

School started on schedule for the district’s 3,800 students and 215 teachers.

“We have a good, strong, professional staff here,” said Superintendent Larry Parsons. “Once the bell rings these folks are professionals and they do their job. … We’re not seeing this as a failure, just the next step in the process.”

Talks broke off two weeks ago. No date had been set for the start of mediation.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.