Grade Seattle Public Schools, teachers union on contract negotiations

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The first day of class at Seattle Public Schools has come and gone — without a strike by the teachers union.

Over the past two weeks, as negotiations for a new employment contract between SPS and the Seattle Education Association ramped up, the teachers union voted to authorize a strike if bargaining continued to stall. A work stoppage would have thrown the first day of school into limbo for the district’s nearly 50,000 students.

But an eleventh-hour deal between the school district and union late Tuesday night meant that the first day of school could continue as planned — though negotiations had continued until almost 11 p.m. the night before.

Whether you are thrilled or upset with the current tentative deal between the school district and the teachers union, The Seattle Times wants to hear how you would grade both groups after this year’s contract negotiations. We’re looking to hear from parents, educators, students and community members — anyone who, like us, was watching with bated breath to see whether the two sides could reach an agreement. 

Give both SPS and SEA a letter grade each: An “A” for the best performance possible, and an “F” for the worst. (No pluses or minuses, please.)

When doling out grades to SPS and the teachers union, consider any of the following questions: Does what we know about the current tentative agreement omit or have a weak position on an issue that you deeply care about? Did a lack of resources for families put you in a difficult position to find childcare? 

Also, what’s your opinion on how Superintendent Shuldiner handled his first round of union bargaining as the head of SPS? Did your views of the school district or the teachers union change because of this year’s negotiations, or have your opinions remained the same?

Tell us about how any of these issues — and more — affected your views of SPS and the teachers’ union. 

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A crash course in SPS, teachers union bargaining

Since late June, the union representing Seattle educators has been negotiating with SPS for a new employment contract.

The Seattle Education Association represents about 6,000 SPS teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, secretaries and other staff. The teachers union had three major issues: wages, classroom sizes and special education staffing and programming.

According to Shuldiner, the final raises secured in the tentative contract were “a little higher” than the 8.8% raise over three years the district offered on Sunday night. Rather than an immediate overhaul of special education, the deal also includes an 18-month study aimed at ultimately rolling out a pilot program of any changes to special education services.

As of Thursday, many other details about the agreement have not been made public.

The contract isn’t technically a done deal yet, either. Union members are scheduled to vote on whether to ratify the tentative contract on Sept. 11. Then, the contract will go to the Seattle School Board for approval during its next regular meeting on Sept. 16, according to School Board President Gina Topp.

Share which letter grades you would give SPS and the teachers union by using the form below or by visiting st.news/gradespsunion. Your answers will inform future stories, and a reporter may contact you for more information.

Can’t see the form below? Visit st.news/gradespsunion.