Strikes are the last resort of labor negotiations.
Kent teachers have been trying for months to negotiate a fair contract, and to help the Kent School Board understand that district administrators have lost sight of the true priorities for our district. Our educators want to be back in their classrooms when school is scheduled to begin Aug. 31.
Unfortunately, the Kent School Board hasn't yet directed administrators to do what's in the best interest of students. Instead, administrators continue to try to frame the current negotiations around power, not progress. As a result, the district's answer continues to be a steady drumbeat of 'no' to proposals that would benefit students -- even proposals a straightforward as limiting class sizes based on the district's posted class-size data.
One can't believe the district is seriously fighting for the right to make our already overcrowded classes even bigger. Instead, for issues large and small, the district seems to have become fixated more on maintaining its own administrators’ power than recognizing what's good for students. The school board's unwillingness to negotiate with the interests of students at heart -- coupled with the message of disrespect that that sends to teachers -- means no contract resolution is in sight.
KEA members have been clear since last spring that they will meet Aug. 26 to ratify a new contract if a tentative agreement is in place, or they will vote to strike.