Edmonds teachers refuse to walk out, will picket after work

The Edmonds School District is going against the grain.

The approximate 1,500 certified educators will not participate in the one-day teacher strikes going on throughout Washington in protest of lawmakers not doing enough to fund education.

“When we first heard of the one-day walkouts going on in the Northwest we started talking about it,” Edmonds Education Association President Andi Nofziger-Meadows said. “It was clear folks wanted to do something.”

But that something does not involve closing school for a day. Instead, the teachers will picket at six locations in Edmonds and Lynnwood after school hours on May 15.

“I think we’re always trying to educate our community and put pressure on the Legislature,” Nofziger-Meadows said.

Teachers are not striking for two reasons: the local Legislatures are supportive of education and teachers don’t want to negatively impact their school community by closing for a day, a letter from the Association said.

Just because they are not striking, does not mean educators are not upset with lawmakers. Washington ranks low in things such as class size, per-student funding and teacher compensation, the Association pointed out.

Picketing will be held at the following locations from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on May 15: 100th Avenue West and Highway 104 in Edmonds; 196th and Highway 99 in Lynnwood; 196th and 44th Avenue West in Lynnwood; 196th and Alderwood Mall Parkway in Lynnwood; 220th and Highway 99 in Lynnwood; 168th and Highway 99 in Lynnwood.

“I think folks believe this is the right tactic for our community,” Nofziger-Meadows said