'Expectation' That Seattle Schools Will Open Sept. 5: District

SEATTLE, WA - Seattle Public Schools expects schools will open on time next week as the district and the Seattle teachers union negotiate teacher pay. The first day of school in Seattle is scheduled for Sept. 5.

According to a statement released by the district on Monday, the two sides left the negotiating table on Saturday without an agreement. But the district says the two sides have made "good progress on many issues of common interest."

Districts around the state are negotiating new contracts or renegotiating existing contracts. That's because the state Legislature put extra funding in the most recent state budget for teacher raises in response to the McCleary decision. Seattle will get a one-time injection of $45 million. But the state's McCleary funding fix cuts the Seattle ability to collect future levy revenue - and that could create a shortfall in 2019 and beyond.

The Seattle Education Association (SEA) members will meet Tuesday to vote on a strike authorization. That would allow the bargaining committee to call for a strike vote, if necessary. The district and the SEA will take up negotiations again on Wednesday.

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