First day of school in Seattle delayed as educators go on strike

[pnwguy2]

As a Seattle native and school student in the 60’s and 70’s I can tell you this is nothing new. Teachers are so important but still are low income workers. My parents were both teachers and their incomes were low. In my case, inheritances made up for that gap. But without that, teachers were doomed to low incomes, and still are. This is plainly just wrong.

[Gardyloo]

Originally Posted by MechAndy

I think the teachers union didn’t have the kids best interest at heart during the covid situation.
They now want us to believe that they do?

No.
This is simply about money.
I don’t begrudge them for it.
They just aren’t being very honest though and they are getting called out for it.

Actually, it's not about base pay, not even close. Last night my sister-in-law came over to put up her feet after doing 30,000 (yes, that's right) steps on the picket line on Thursday. She's 60, teaches at one of the most challenging schools in the district (make that state) and has been named teacher of the month etc. several times.

The district is sitting on the largest contingency fund in its history - money received during Covid but not spent, as everybody was at home zooming. Still, the district has decided to increase the student-staff ratio in programs like ELL, special ed etc., without hiring any additional staff, so the attention paid to these kids in need will be diminished, while the district sits on its pile of cash like Scrooge McDuck. Oh, I'm sure the district spokesperson(s) will complain about not wanting to drain the savings account, or about precedent, yadda yadda, but there's also a palpable sense of "F You" - like not negotiating over the Labor Day weekend, when they've had the union's proposed contract in their hands since June. They only agreed to negotiate this weekend after the teachers mobilized thousands of parents to contact the board members by phone, text and email, in order to get them to pay attention. Even as it is, it's likely kids will be in class until the 4th of July next year.

It baffles me who the school board and administration think they're representing with a hardline stance. The taxpayers? Okay, but when did Seattle's voters last turn down a school levy or override? It's not like the school board answers to angry shareholders or investors. It's us. SMH.