Everett Teachers To Walk Out Next Friday

Editor’s Update May 15th 10:00am: This morning on Twitter, the Everett School District explained how the May 22nd date was chosen for a walkout by Everett Teachers.

The district did not “choose” May 22.
In early spring the teacher’s union asked the district assessment office for a list of dates in April and May when state-required testing was not scheduled. The assessment office provided a list of dates beginning in April when testing was not scheduled and when a “potential” walkout would be least disruptive to students and families and would have minimal impact on previously scheduled field trips and events.
On May 14, union membership voted to schedule their protest of state legislative actions on May 22, which is a day when no state testing is scheduled in Everett schools.
The district appreciates the union membership’s selection of a non-testing day for its protest. The district also appreciates the advanced notice of the union’s choice. That has enabled the district to give families and other staff several days’ notice of the union’s choice of protest date.

Original Story May 14th 8:30pm: Earlier today we told parents who lived in Everett but had kids attending Mukilteo schools that teachers in the Mukilteo School District have scheduled a walk out next Wednesday May 20th. Today teachers in the Everett School District voted by an 85 percent margin to hold a walk out next Friday May 22nd. That means all Everett Schools are closed that day and a make-up day will be added to the end of the school calendar moving the last day of school to June 17th. Jared Kink is the President of the Everett Education Association and MyEverettNews.com asked him what he would say to parents who say the only thing this accomplishes is having to arrange childcare and re-arrange work schedules. “What we are doing is standing up for your kids,” said Kink. “This is the best opportunity to influence the legislators and get them to properly fund education.” He says they talked with the district and determined next Friday would be the least disruptive day to hold a walk out. On that day teachers will be picketing in the area near Cascade High and also in Mill Creek before holding a rally in the afternoon.

Here’s the press release received this evening from the Everett School District…

Membership of the Everett Education Association (EEA), the union representing teachers in Everett Public Schools, has voted to participate in a one-day walkout on May 22, 2015.

The union emphasized this is not a strike against the district, students, families or our community, but rather a way for staff to show solidarity with colleagues across the state and send a clear message to legislators about the importance of ample, equitable educational funding. We agree the state has failed to fully fund K-12 education and must live up to its responsibility as mandated by the State Supreme Court.

As a result of the one-day walkout, Everett Public Schools is canceling school on Friday, May 22, 2015.

The following activities will proceed as scheduled on May 22:

• high school and middle school athletic practices and competitions
• facility rentals

The YMCA will be open for its regular before and after school programs, but the Boys and Girls Club before and after school programs will be moved to the Everett Boys and Girls Cascade Club. Please check individual school websites for evening activities.

The school year is extended one day to make up for the May 22 closure. The last day of school is now June 17. That makes June 16 a regular full day. Students will be released 2.5 hours early on June 17. We will keep you posted on new developments if they arise. We are truly sorry for the inconvenience that canceling school on May 22 causes you and your family.

If you have any questions, please contact the EEA office at AKnudson@washingtonea.org or at 425-259-0622, or contact Everett Public Schools communications department at communications@everettsd.org.