Are Bellevue Teachers Striking – BellevueBubble says YES!
Bellevue teachers appear ready to assume picket line positions in protest of the district's web curriculum. Teachers claim the new curriculum limits their flexibility within the classroom as each day, in some instances each minute, is planned for them.
Bellevue teachers appear ready to assume picket line positions in protest of the district’s web curriculum. Teachers claim the new curriculum limits their flexibility within the classroom as each day, in some instances each minute, is planned for them.
Through our network of education spies we have heard the following quotes from individuals close to the negotiations:
We’re not even close to resolving this issue
99% chance we are striking
The Bellevue Education Association (BEA) website posted an update yesterday that hinted at what we already knew:
The good news? The day after BEA members encircled the district office carrying picket signs and chanting “We love our students,” district negotiators responded at the bargaining table with new proposals on compensation and the curriculum Web.
The bad news? The district’s proposals moved only inches at a time when there are miles to go.
The BEA clearly states its position and offers a pointed rationale for why we are all in this situation.
With negotiations dragging on since February, Bellevue’s teachers, counselors, curriculum coaches and other classroom specialists voted overwhelmingly in June to strike if no contract is in place. Despite giving more than two-and-one-half months notice to the district to seriously address these problems, Karen Clark still seems unable to comprehend the serious breadth of this bargaining crisis. If the appointment of Clark as acting superintendent has left the district without the wisdom or experience to resolve these issues, perhaps it’s time for true leadership within the district to emerge. Three more days for quiet negotiations remain, and then this crisis erupts into a very public strike.
In a new twist on this old saga the Seattle Times Editorial & Opinion section published a provocative article this morning on the legality of the Bellevue Teacher Strike.
State and local public employees, including teachers, have no legally protected right to strike.
Attorney General Rob McKenna has been clear on the illegality of strikes by public employees. Teachers argue that since the law doesn’t explicitly name teachers, that profession is excluded from the ban. That’s silly. Taxpayers pay teacher salaries. They are public employees.
Bellevue teachers are threatening to strike just as the district is cutting $4.8 million from its budget. Moreover, the wrong government entity is being threatened. The state sets teacher salaries; local districts kick in extra for things such as planning time and extra duties.
If you have any information about the current strike situation please comment below or send your information to post@bellevuebubble.com.
I tend to agree with you that it will probably happen, but this same thing has been happening since I was in the district over 25 years ago.
When I was a kid, I liked them striking as I was bored in school. As a parent, I feel like it is blackmail and I hate it when children are used.
They did it. They deccided to strike. How is this good for the kids? This is awful.
Unfortunately YOU were right again Bubble!
I’m a little pissed off about this too – more because Jackie Kennedy has been waiting for her first day at Enatai for a long time. I actually had similar experiences growing up going to the same schools. Strikes – and lots of them. Funny thing about it was that back then, there were precious few teachers that really cared about their students – and they really deserved top notch pay. The rest were just there to pick up a paycheck – and should have been released.
Perhaps the entire system needs to be overhauled? I always believe in being paid on the merit system and if you don’t show up, you don’t have a job. Maybe they should have to compete each year for their jobs?
I’m sure there are plenty of teachers in other districts who would love the deal Bellevue teachers have been offered …..
Perhaps offering the jobs on the open market would help attract even better teachers?
I’m hoping that this does not cause a lot of problems with people supporting the Bellevue Schools Foundation, but it is sure giving an argument for private school.
I urge others to stand up and speak what they believe in (whichever side you may be on). Many believe n annonymous comment is like a vote that doesn’t count.
I’d just like to say that any short-term detriment to the students’ education is wildly offset by the benefits that they’ll get from having well-paid, caring teachers able to teach them to their own individual needs. My finest BHS teachers were those that dared to teach not to the test, but from their hearts and minds, and for that I’m truly thankful.
Greatest Bellevue High Teacher = Joel Seidel. I hope he is doing well wherever he finds himself.
Former BH Student (I’m an 1981 BHS grad) – so you’d pay them whatever they’re asking for? What programs would you choose to further cut to make that happen?
Which taxes of yours do you want increased to pay for these teachers that care so much? Which of these teachers would you choose to fire? (according to what I’ve read, they’ll need to fire at least 36)? Are you ok with the children having even larger classes, less supervision, and fewer programs?
In an ideal world, everyone would earn what they’re worth and nobody would struggle. Unfortunately that is not reality.