KENT, Wash. — The first day of school is delayed for Kent students after the school district and the teacher's union failed to complete contract negotiations on Wednesday.
The Kent Education Association said teachers would be on the picket lines on Thursday, Aug. 25, which was originally scheduled to be the first day of classes.
High school and middle school offices and the district central office will still remain open on Thursday, according to the Kent School District website. They are also continuing high school sports programs. All elementary and middle school activities are postponed until further notice. Meal service will resume when school begins.
The union alleges they are still negotiating over "several anti-union proposals - including contractual protections against workplace discrimination."
The union is also arguing for a state-funded cost of living increase, which they say the district has the funds to pay. Teachers are also seeking "manageable" classroom sizes and case loads.
According to the union, Kent School District officials and members of the Kent Education Association have been bargaining toward a new contract through the summer.
Vice President of the Kent Education Association Layla Jones said negotiations, which began in July, have not been going well.
On Wednesday, the union passed a vote of no confidence in the Kent School Board and Superintendent Israel Vela.
"We voted the board in in order to manage the district, and the district isn't being managed," said Edyte Parsons, a fourth grade teacher in Kent.
During the Kent School Board's regular meeting on Wednesday, Superintendent Vela addressed the ongoing contract negotiation.
"I want to recognize we are working with KEA partners to come to an agreement and get our students back in school as quickly as possible," Vela said. "We can agree that students are the focus of what we do and the reason we’re all here. Our priorities as a school district has been and always will be teaching and learning.
"We respect and value our staff and recognize the incredible work that they do," he continued. "It is our goal to find a mutually agreeable solution that continues to reward our valuable teachers while managing taxpayer dollars wisely. By focusing on coming to a solution that is both fair and fiscally responsible in order to start school is in the best interest of students."
The school district says it plans to provide families with updates on labor negotiations on its website.