It's going to be an important couple of weeks as teachers unions and school districts statewide go to the negotiating table for new contracts. The crux of the debate is the McCleary decision and new funding.
Back in 2012, the state Supreme Court ruled that Washington was not properly funding public schools, and the court ordered the legislature to come up with a solution. Two years later, the court found the legislature in contempt for failing to establish a plan. Then, this past June, the court found the state satisfied the conditions of the McCleary decision, triggering extra funding for districts.
Highline Education Association said at least $2 billion of the new funding is for educators salaries, and teachers want what is fair and equitable.
Highline Public Schools is scheduled to start on September 5.
"It is a date that we expect to have an agreement, and if we can't come to an agreement by that date then the membership may take action and that action might be a strike," said Sue McCabe, Highline Education Association president.
Pay is a sticking point across the region. It's the reason teachers in Longview went on strike Thursday morning.
Thursday evening, Highline educators voted to strike unless there is a tentative agreement before September 5.
Highline is hardly alone.
The Washington Education Association said more than 200 unions, mostly teachers unions, are still in contract negotiations. WEA has created a map that highlights nearly 40 contract settlements that have been reached so far in Washington state.
One recent agreement happened in Shoreline. According to WEA, teachers there will see a 24 percent increase, setting the maximum annual pay at $120,234.
"I keep seeing on the map 21 percent increase, 18 percent increase. We need to be there too, and that is what we are fighting for," said teacher Alecia Mabalay.
Parent Jessica Vick said she supports the teachers.
"What's to keep a teacher here in Highline from not moving to Edmonds and getting the great salary they just offered their teachers up there or Issaquah or Bellevue," said Vicks.
With the first day of school fast approaching, the focus is on what will happen next at the bargaining table.
Highline Public Schools issued this statement:
We continue to bargain in good faith, with talks scheduled for tomorrow. Additional talks are scheduled for this weekend, if necessary. We are confident we will come to an agreement that reflects the high value we place on teachers and their service to our students. Highline is committed to continuing to pay our teachers a competitive wage and to attracting and retaining the best teaching staff.
