Just in from the Seattle Education Association, which represents Seattle Public Schools teachers and other : Today’s votes on the one-year contract has been tallied and it’s been ratified. Minutes later, SPS sent this statement:

Seattle Education Association (SEA) members approved the educator contract. SEA represents the district’s educators, substitutes, paraprofessionals, instructional assistants and office professionals.

“I want to thank our educators, the joint bargaining team, and SEA leadership for their hard work throughout the bargaining process. I am proud of the interest-based bargaining process we engaged in with SEA,” said Superintendent Denise Juneau. “We coalesced around common values, including racial equity, and crafted a contract that honors our educators and helps us advance our collective commitment to every student in the district. Seattle remains competitive with our neighboring districts while maintaining critical services for students and families.”

“Great things happen when we keep students at the center of our work,” she added.

Since May, a joint team of approximately 45 Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and Seattle Education Association (SEA) representatives have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement

This year the team was engaged in interest-based bargaining. This approach to bargaining builds on our shared commitment to students and to common goals. The district is excited to offer enhanced supports to our educators in the 1-year contract:

• A competitive pay schedule that honors the work of our current educators and helps us attract and retain new professionals to Seattle Public Schools. Each bargaining unit will receive an average 10.5% increase. • Increased nurses and preparation time
• Increased secondary counselors
• Expansion of school-based race and equity teams, confirming our commitment to eliminating opportunity gaps
• Enhanced parental leave including for the adoption of a child
• Enhanced educator professional development and dedicated collaboration time focused on addressing racial and educational inequities
• An innovative SEA and SPS developed Peer Assistance Review and professional growth program to support educator growth and teaching quality
• Increased professional development for staff and substitute educators
• Enhanced substitute health care benefits

“These new investments will help ensure many students in Seattle receive the educational supports they deserve, ” said Board President Leslie Harris. “I am so proud of our educators and staff for building a contract that is student centered. We look forward to joining with our staff, families and students to work with the Legislature for full funding of public education.”