March 10, 2022
The Seattle Education Association is the voice for educators standing with our students united to address the needs of our community and to transform our district into an anti-racist school system where every student thrives.
SEA Call to Action: Send an Email to the School Board
 
While educators across the district are scrambling to make sense of SPS’ unilateral decision to make masks optional next week, the Seattle School Board has called a special remote meeting today in executive session (behind closed doors) to discuss the superintendent’s performance. In addition, the School Board is rushing to impose another rash decision upon us and just announced they will hold a special remote meeting tomorrow without public comment to approve a new two-year contract for Dr. Jones as Superintendent. 

We demand better of our Seattle School Board and condemn this pattern of severely limiting our engagement and representation as they make important decisions that impact us. They should be listening to school communities and insisting that the Superintendent address the numerous concerns voiced by educators, students, and families to repair the harm caused by the about-face mask announcement. Our elected leaders should be providing adequate time for our school community to digest the terms of the superintendent’s new contract instead of rushing to vote less than 24 hours later. Our School Board should keep their word to engage with the SPS community by allowing public comment at the meeting in which they vote. 
 
We call upon the School Board to do the following:

  1. Reschedule the Friday special meeting for no sooner than Wednesday of next week. 24-hours' notice is insufficient time for the community to provide feedback on the new Superintendent contract.
  2. The meeting must be scheduled outside of the school day so that our school community has the opportunity to attend the meeting. 
  3. Any meeting to approve the Superintendent's contract must be held in-person. 
  4. There must be public comment time and it should be ample to accommodate the number of speakers.

Further, we call upon the School Board, the Superintendent and all senior-level staff to commit to substituting and volunteering in schools next week so everyone can observe and help mitigate the impacts of the new mask-optional policy.  This
will help cover for any educators who are absent, taking leave, or resigning on
Monday.  
 
NEXT STEPS 
 
Join us in sending an email to the Seattle School Board calling for listening, transparency, and collaboration. Encourage your colleagues and community members to send an email. The School Board needs to hear that the disregard for educator voice is unacceptable. 

SEA has filed Unfair Labor Practices against SPS for breaking our contract. SPS broke their commitment to the school community to go to the bargaining table to reach mutual agreement on the mask policy. 

SEA remains committed to their work and is meeting with SPS tomorrow, Friday, March 11, to bargain. SPS needs to begin collaborating with SEA members.
Nominations Open for SEA Officers, SEA Department Officers, and Board of Directors
 
Don’t forget to nominate yourself or another leader to serve in our Union! Only active SEA members may nominate or be nominated. Nominations close at the March 14, 2022, Representative Assembly. The electronic nomination form is accessible HERE.
 
All positions are two-year terms. Nominations and elections are conducted in accordance with the SEA Bylaws and Standing Rules. The SEA 2022 Election Timeline and Guidelines are posted on the SEA website. Questions? Elections Committee Email is [email protected]
More Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
 
Saturdays in MARCH. SEA Blueprinting Meeting for Upcoming 2022 Bargain. SEA is heading into an open bargain this spring. It is critical we hear from as many members as possible to determine our collective priorities for the bargain.

  • Saturday, March 12: 
  • Please register HERE to join the Librarians and Visual & Performing Arts in the morning session from 9AM – 12PM.
  • Please register HERE to join Zones 7, 8, 9 Schools in the afternoon session from 1PM – 4PM.
 
  • Saturday, March 19: 
  • Please register HERE to join the Alternative Learning Experience, CTE, and Athletic Coordinators in the morning session from 9AM – 12PM.
  • Please register HERE to join Multilingual Department and New Hires in the afternoon session from 1PM – 4PM.
Saturday, March 12, 9:30 - 10:30am. Women and Money Workshop. With so many unknowns these days, we want to help members plan a more secure financial future that supports your personal goals. This workshop focuses on unpacking the challenges women face in saving for retirement, and then teaches a six-step financial strategy designed to combat these challenges and help women secure a confident, comfortable future. Click here to register today. A Zoom link will be emailed after you register.

Monday, March 14, 5:00-8:00pm. Regular SEA Representative Assembly. All members are welcome and can ask questions or speak to a motion. Only Board of Directors and Association Reps have privilege of making a motion and voting in this meeting. Register in advance for this meeting: https://washingtonea.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYld-CqrjIiHteY02IT6-N5rZkblwDLhZkQ

Saturday, March 19, Saturday, March 26 8:30 - 11:30am. Taking Charge of Your Future: A WEA Pre-Retirement Seminar. Developed and presented by WEA-Retired members, this training is designed to give information on preparing for retirement, the paperwork process and what to expect from four educators who are living it now. Come learn how to prepare for life after school and negotiate the path to retirement. Cost: FREE, but you MUST be a SEA Member to register. Registration and more information: https://www.seattlewea.org/retirement-info/
Welcome New SEA Members!
 
Check out the SEA website here and all the useful links such as our current contracts, salary schedules, and more!