Seattle Teachers Vote to Authorize Strike Ahead of First Day of School

Seattle Public Schools could face a teacher strike on the first day of the new school year after 91% of Seattle Education Association members voted to authorize a walkout if a new contract agreement isn't reached by September 1. A strike could begin September 2, the scheduled first day of school for roughly 50,000 students. The union is seeking smaller class sizes, additional special education staffing and salary increases of 1.5%, 2% and 2.5% over the next three years—on top of annual inflation-based cost-of-living increases. The contract fight comes as Seattle Public Schools faces an estimated $87 million to $100 million budget shortfall. Washington Policy Center Education Center Director Vicki Murray discusses teacher compensation, rising per-pupil education spending and whether taxpayers are getting better student outcomes for the additional investment. Murray also weighs in on a new federal tax-credit scholarship program and the debate over whether Washington should participate. Will Seattle teachers actually walk off the job, or can the district and union reach a deal before students return to the classroom? Watch Washington in Focus for the latest on Seattle schools, education spending, Washington politics and taxpayer issues. #Seattle #SeattleTeachers #TeacherStrike #SeattleSchools #SeattlePublicSchools #Education #Washington #WAPolitics #WashingtonPolitics #SchoolFunding #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus