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Spokane Public Schools board accepts one-year teacher contract
The Spokane Public Schools board voted unanimously to accept a one-year teacher contract Wednesday evening. “The only comment I would make is one of thanks for those who prepared and met for the many, many hours that they did,” board member Rocky Treppiedi said.
Shawn Vestal: Washington Supreme Court’s late work on charter schools gets low grade
In January 2014, Spokane Public Schools approved the first charter school in the state, Pride Prep. A couple of months later, a challenge to the voter-approved law establishing charter schools went to the state Supreme Court. By September 2014, Spokane’s second charter school, Spokane International Academy, was authorized. A month later, the state Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the challenge.
‘Super’ lice nothing new, health officials say
“Super” head lice have been making headlines across the U.S. for the past few weeks, but Spokane school and health officials say they’re not a new phenomenon. “We’ve heard and experienced strains of lice that seem to be … resistant to the lice medications, specifically the over-the-counter lice medications,” said Wendy Bleeker, the director of student services for Spokane Public Schools.
No teacher strike; Spokane schools stay open after union, district reach tentative deal
After days of mediated negotiations the Spokane Education Association and Spokane Public Schools came to a tentative contract agreement Thursday afternoon, narrowly avoiding a districtwide strike. “We are very pleased that we’ve come to an agreement,” said Superintendent Shelley Redinger.
Spokane teacher strike averted; tentative agreement reached
A tentative agreement has been reached between Spokane Public Schools and the teachers union that averts a labor strike Friday.
School talks stall, board prepares for legal action in event of strike
With a strike looming and negotiators unable to craft a deal after an all-day bargaining session Wednesday, the Spokane Public Schools board gave the superintendent the ability to fire striking workers and bring legal action against the union. “We’re not surprised by the resolution,” said Spokane Education Association President Jenny Rose. “Truly in my heart I think that it’s a scare tactic for our members.”
Union, Spokane Public Schools still without deal; board backs measure to fire strikers
With a strike looming and negotiators unable to craft a deal after an all-day bargaining session Wednesday, the Spokane Public School board gave the superintendent the ability to fire striking workers and bring legal action against the union.
Spokane teachers, administration work to avoid strike
In an effort to avoid a strike less than a week into the new school year, representatives from the Spokane Education Association and Spokane Public Schools agreed to spend all today negotiating. Previously, negotiators worked from 4 p.m. to around midnight, said SEA president Jenny Rose. “I think both sides are very committed to coming to a tentative agreement,” Rose said.
Spokane school year begins amid fears of teachers strike
On Monday, Hy Yoeun dropped off her second-grader, Alex, at Bemiss Elementary. “He didn’t want the summer to be over,” Yoeun said.
Spokane instructional assistants’ pay below state average
Pay for instructional assistants, sometimes called paraprofessionals, is frequently mentioned as one of the causes of the current dispute between Spokane Public Schools and the Spokane Education Association. Compared to other districts in Washington, Spokane’s average pay for instructional assistants is low, according to a Spokesman-Review analysis of data from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Spokane Public Schools board budget proposal would hike prices for meals, after-school services
The Spokane Public Schools board is considering options for budget cuts, including raising school lunch prices, and delaying some new programs.
Spokane educators vote to go on strike
Spokane Public Schools employees on Friday voted to strike just four days after school starts next week. But the Spokane Education Association, which represents the workers, has not abandoned negotiations.
Spokane Public Schools employees vote to strike if agreement not reached in a week
Employees of Spokane Public Schools have voted to go out on strike beginning Friday, Sept. 4, only days after the first day of school on Monday.
Sides upbeat on Spokane teacher talks
Spokane Public Schools administrators and the union representing teachers and other employees are optimistic about reaching a contract agreement and averting a possible labor action. The current contract between the district and the Spokane Education Association expires Monday, which is also the first day of school.
As school year nears, Spokane teachers still need new contract
Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Shelley Redinger sent out an email Wednesday evening advising parents the district is still negotiating a contract with teachers as the first day of school approaches. The current contract expires Monday. Redinger wrote that she values the work being done in the classrooms, and contract talks are continuing. Teacher pay remains a “challenging issue,” she said.
Air quality concerns halt sports
Concern about wildfire smoke and its effects on children has led to the cancellation of a large soccer tournament at Plantes Ferry Park in Spokane Valley. In addition, the Greater Spokane League has implemented a new smoke pollution protocol that could lead to cancellation of practices and games when air pollution rises to unhealthy levels.
Treppiedi takes most votes in Spokane School Board election
Long-time Spokane School Board member Rocky Treppiedi easily topped two challengers in the primary to move to the November election.
Doug Clark: President Wilson at top of undistinguished list in Spokane
So a socially consumed Tacoman (pronounced Taco Man) wants Spokane Public Schools to dump the Wilson out of Wilson Elementary because its namesake, the 28th president, was a diehard racist. How dumb am I?
Tacoma man wants Spokane’s Wilson Elementary renamed
Woodrow Wilson was a leading progressive who campaigned for workers’ rights and was a seminal force in the creation of the League of Nations. He was also a segregationist. And a racist.
Three vie for school board
A lot has changed in the 20 years since Rocky Treppiedi won a seat on Spokane Public Schools’ board of directors. But not Rocky Treppiedi.