Seattle schools back in session Wednesday as teachers suspend strike

Seattle Public School (SPS) kids are returning to class Wednesday as teachers suspended their strike after a vote late Tuesday afternoon.

“We had some really deep issues, so when we’re talking to our educators and we’re talking to leaders, we have philosophical differences sometimes and how we do that,” SPS Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones said. “So it took us longer than we want it to, but here we are with a fantastic agreement.”

Teacher strike indefinitely closes Seattle Schools

The teacher’s union said a vote on the tentative contract will take place later this week.

Teachers cited more support for special and multilingual education, smaller class sizes, and competitive pay as their most significant reasons for striking.

“We apologize for the frustration and anxiety the delay is causing students and families,” SPS wrote in a press release earlier this week. “We know families feel the strain and burden of this process. We want school to begin as soon as possible.”

During the four-day strike, six Boys & Girls Clubs across Seattle offered free full-day programming, but only for families currently enrolled in Seattle schools, as most clubs were at capacity.

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