School teachers seeking a pay raise took to the sidewalks in downtown Spokane today [Thursday]. It’s one week before the new school year starts and they’re in the middle of negotiations with the district over how to distribute millions in new money from the state.
This is a golden year for school districts in Washington. They get a one-time infusion of money from the state as it adds a billion dollars to the basic education budget and they also get to keep the local tax money they’ve traditionally collected.
Beginning next year, the local spigot will close significantly as the burden for funding schools shifts more to the state.
With this one-time infusion of money, each district around Washington is determining how much to give to teachers and how much to direct to other priorities.
Spokane Education Association President Katy Henry says teachers believe all of that new money was intended for them.
On Thursday, the teachers, led by Henry, carried signs in front of the district administration carried signs to make a statement.
“These are the people that support your students everyday and they do the work because they love it, but they also are very adamant that they should be paid a professional wage and so we’re out here advocating for ourselves, just like we advocate for our students every day,” Henry said.
Some districts around the state have agreed to give teachers big raises. Spokane school district spokesman Brian Coddington says, given the expected decrease in local support, administrators here say that doesn’t make economic sense.
“If you base your budget on this year’s allocation, you’re going to put yourself in a situation that’s not sustainable and that causes a problem in those subsequent two years,” Coddington said.
The district and union negotiators will begin mediation on Friday with other sessions scheduled, if needed, on Saturday and Monday. Both sides say they’re optimistic about reaching an agreement on a raise for teachers with no need for a work stoppage.