Seattle Public Schools' Board of Directors voted to ratify a tentative contract deal between the school district and its teachers' union in a meeting Wednesday,
Seattle Public Schools' Board of Directors voted to ratify a tentative contract deal between the school district and its teachers' union in a meeting Wednesday, weeks after an educator strike was avoided just hours before the first day of school.
Members of the Seattle Education Association (SEA), the union representing 6,000 teachers and other school staff, voted to ratify the tentative agreement Tuesday.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Seattle teachers union ratifies tentative contract with school district
The agreement includes protected planning and collaboration time for teachers and increased staffing of nurses, psychologists, and social workers or counselors, according to the union.
Superintendent Ben Shuldiner said he was thrilled to present the deal to the board of directors and thrilled with the final product.
"We really, I think, got to a place that serves our children and our staff well," Shuldiner said Wednesday.
Changes to special education have been a major sticking point over 30 bargaining sessions between the district and SEA since June.
The newly-approved contract outlines a three-year pilot program involving the district, union members, and community members to recommend a redesigned special education program. Recommendations will be made by January 2028, and the pilot can be ended only by mutual agreement between Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and SEA, according to the agreement.
"Of course we need to study it. Of course we need time," Shuldiner continued, "but what's in this tentative contract is the idea that we're not just going to study it, we're actually going to act on it."
Parents like Jessie Dugan, who has a son in the district's special education program, were pleased to see both parties put a focus on strengthening special education resources amid contract negotiations.
"It was really hard for our son to learn and get the education that he needs without those supports in place," Dugan explained. "We've seen him thrive when he does have those."
Pay raises for union members by nearly 10% over three years are also included in the agreement.
This comes as school district leaders attempt to navigate an $87 million budget deficit. Shuldiner previously told reporters he believes the cost of the deal still allows SPS to try and tackle some of the larger, systemic budget issues at hand.
Still, some board directors questioned if this was simply too optimistic.
"Are we still going to be able to move students forward with this?" Board Director Jen LaVallee asked Shuldiner.
"What this [collective bargaining agreement] really allows us to do is buy us a year to do the cuts we need to cut," he responded. "I'm not saying at the end of the three years we're going to be in this amazing, rosy shape. I think we can keep our head above water."
Ultimately, board directors voted to approve the contract agreement, authorizing Shuldiner to execute it, in a 5-2 vote.
The contract will now be in effect through August 2029.
