As of 1 a.m. Tuesday, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and the Seattle Education Association (SEA) have yet to reach a contract agreement.
Seattle Public Schools are starting the 2026-27 school year as scheduled on Wednesday after the district and the Seattle Education Association agreed to continue negotiations while finalizing a tentative collective bargaining agreement.
The agreement means educators will not strike and classes will begin as scheduled for the district’s 50,000 students.
“Seattle Public Schools is pleased to announce that the 2026-27 school year will begin as scheduled on Wednesday, Sept. 2,” the district said in a statement.
Negotiations have continued throughout the summer, and both sides said they remain committed to reaching a final agreement as quickly as possible.
“We know the uncertainty surrounding the start of school has been difficult for our students, families and staff,” the district said. “We appreciate your patience and understanding throughout this process.”
Superintendent Ben Shuldiner said Tuesday afternoon that he remained hopeful about a resolution, citing progress in conversations about salaries and special education.
He did not provide specifics because negotiations were ongoing.
“What I’m so hopeful about is we’ve been moving back and forth at such a quick speed,” Shuldiner said. “What that says to me is people really want to try to get this done.”
Seattle educators rallied outside district headquarters Tuesday afternoon as negotiations continued.
“It’s not in our interest to bankrupt the school district, but we also want to make sure Seattle Public Schools is a top-quality school district to work in and to teach students in,” said Matthew Legacki, a Laurelhurst Elementary School special education teacher and member of the union bargaining team.
Legacki said educators are seeking better pay and working conditions in a new three-year contract.
“It’s been pretty consistent that teachers are maxed out, if not overloaded, even from the beginning of the year,” he said.
The union has sought raises above inflation, saying some employees work multiple jobs to afford to live in Seattle.
The average salary for full-time teachers in the district was about $117,000, according to SEA.
An image of teachers and families rallying outside district offices on Sept. 1, 2026. (KOMO)SPS had proposed a 9% raise over three school years, including a 2.6% increase this school year. Shuldiner has said the district’s $1.35 billion budget is largely earmarked for specific expenses.
“Almost all of that money is kind of already earmarked,” Shuldiner said. “And so the issue is, if we want to spend more money, where would we take it?”
The district said students will be able to return to classrooms Wednesday to begin the work of learning, connecting and building community.
