Seattle Public Schools face potential teacher strike

Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Education Association (SEA) face a Tuesday deadline to reach a contract agreement. If negotiations fail by 11:59 p.m., approximately 6,000 educators and support staff plan to strike on Wednesday, the scheduled first day of school.

The union is seeking increased classroom resources, lower staff-to-student ratios, enhanced special education support, and pay raises of up to 12% for lower-paid staff. The SEA has accused district leadership of walking away from the bargaining table.

Superintendent Ben Shuldiner cited a multi-million dollar budget deficit and described the district as “broke.” He defended a contract offer featuring an 8.8% salary increase over three years as “good and fair.” In preparation for a potential walkout, the district has planned contingency services, including providing meals and maintaining partnerships with nonprofits for childcare services.