As part of a recent decision to form a coalition, representatives from local school districts and their respective teachers unions have asked board members to declare Jan. 14 a “no school day.”
The change in the district calendars would allow staff to rally in Olympia to show support for public education funding on the opening day of the 2003 legislative session.
The activities planned for the “Day of Action” include a speech by the president of the Washington Education Association and a march through downtown Olympia.
So far, Edmonds School District, the Edmonds Education Association and the Everett Education Association have voted to participate.
Because a calendar change requires districts to assign a make-up day, the Shoreline school district, Shoreline Education Association, Northshore school district , Northshore Education Association and the Everett school district had not yet decided how they will participate by the Enterprise deadline. They are scheduled to make a decision within the next few weeks.
The Northshore Education Association’s recent experience is an example of the trouble districts face in changing the calendar.
“We had one building vote that failed by about 71 percent, and after talking with a number of people we found out it was because of the day we had selected for make-up. It interfered with winter break and the teachers needed a planning day … so we will have to make changes and revote,” said NEA president Aaron Feik.
At the Dec. 3 Edmonds School District meeting, the Board of Directors voted to make Jan. 14 a no school day. In exchange, the day will be made up March 21. That date was originally set aside as a no school day.
Edmonds superintendent Wayne Robertson said that even though he feels the activities planned for the opening day of the 2003 legislation are important, the affect on families also needed to be considered.
“Rescheduling the calendar was not an easy decision, but the issues around funding for schools are important to our children and the children across the state,” Robertson said in a press release. “Sending that message at the very start of the session is crucial.”
The issues the coalition support include Initiative 728 and 732, both of which affect public education funding and are in danger of being cut as a result of the state’s $2.6 billion budget deficit. The group believes that by showing their support in Olympia on Jan. 14, legislators will see how important the Initiatives are to local schools.
“We as voters don’t want these Initiatives tampered with,” Cheryl Ricevuto, Shoreline Education Association president said. “We would hope for our district that we would be able to support the activities in Olympia with the entire school district staff, administration board members and the community.”
Kim Mead, president of the Everett Education Association, said she was pleased with the vote to approve a “walk-out day” for staff.
“We need to go to Olympia to support the district and the students, and to make sure Olympia understands they can’t take away the 732 and 728 moneys,” Mead said. “Every time you hear about a budget cut, we have to make sure we stand up and say that kids can’t be the ones you take it from.”
Aaron Feik, president of the Northshore Education Association has similar views.
“I support what the WEA (Washington Education Association) is trying to do … and it’s time for us to step up and say that during the time of change and when sources are limited, we need to pick our values,” Feik said. “We need to decide if we really value our kids and not try to hide behind budget problems.”
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