(The Center Square) – Seattle School Superintendent Ben Shuldiner said Tuesday afternoon he has renewed optimism that a school strike can be averted.
“I was here till 1:30 a.m. this morning, we were working really, really hard, going back and forth, the union has been really, really thoughtful around putting kids first and making some really great decisions,” he told The Center Square Tuesday afternoon at district headquarters.
“I’m more hopeful now than 24 hours ago, because we spent most of the last 24 hours negotiating.”
At the same time, Shuldiner said at a Tuesday afternoon press briefing that the district continues to make contingency plans in case a strike occurs.
Classes for K-12 students across the district are set to begin Wednesday, unless a strike takes place.
If schools aren’t in session Wednesday, he said, bagged breakfast and lunch will be available to students, and to anyone who asks.
“Food is important,” said Shuldiner. “Our job is to serve children – we want to reduce barriers,” he said.
School buses, however, won’t be operating, meaning students would have to get to school on their own to get food.
Before and after-school programs, run by partner agencies, will also continue, but availability will vary by school, the superintendent said.
He said different partner agencies have separate agreements with different schools.
But there will be no way to find out online what schools will be offering. Instead, Shuldiner advised parents to call their principal.
Meanwhile, in the event of a strike, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced that Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Associated Recreation Council will offer free, staffed drop-in recreation activities for SPS students in kindergarten through sixth grade at designated recreation centers.
As negotiations continued Tuesday night at school district headquarters, the Seattle Education Association held a rally outside the building.
Around 300 members chanted, “What do we want? A fair contract! When do we want it? Now!”
The union, which represents 6,000 teachers and paraprofessionals, has called the district’s pay proposal inadequate.
The SEA voted to strike last Wednesday.
The union released a statement Tuesday evening updating its side of negotiations from Monday.
“We made progress today, including some breakthroughs that move the bargain forward,” the statement said.
“Our team and additional Special Education members spent hours working on a new proposal for Special Education services. Around 8 p.m. we presented it to the district. We continue to try to come at these issues in creative ways, so that we can reach an agreement that doesn’t come at the cost of student outcomes. We passed proposals back and forth with the district until after 1 a.m.”
Shuldiner said Tuesday that a key issue still being negotiated is pay.
Shuldiner has shared that the district has offered SEA members 8.8% raises over three years, or 2.85% per year.
But much of the increase is tied to inflation-funded state pay increases for all teachers.
The union has asked for a 1.5%-3% raise, in addition to inflation.
District officials have said that Seattle Public Schools are grappling with a looming $87 million budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year and a depleted $30 million rainy-day reserve, down from a recommended $135 million.
Sean O’Gara, a special education teaching assistant who attended the rally, told The Center Square the contract dispute wasn’t just about wages, but the district’s plan to cut special education programs and reduce staffers.
“We don’t want students to be hurt,” he said.
The district insists it is not cutting positions, but restructuring special ed programs.
O’Gara, who makes $66,000 a year, however, said that he would definitely enjoy better wages in high-cost Seattle.
Union leaders said they will do what it takes to make that happen.
“We will bargain as long as it takes to reach a tentative agreement that we can stand behind. And we know you will be there on the picket line if that’s what it takes,” their statement concluded.
An update from the district was planned for 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night.
That update said progress between the two sides continued.
“Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Education Association continue to engage in productive negotiations, and progress is being made,” the update said. “Both sides remain hard at work and are getting very close as discussions continue.”
“Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this process. We know this has been a long evening, and we appreciate your continued support.”
Another update was planned later Tuesday night, the post said.
A decision on whether or not to cancel the first day of school could come as late as 5 a.m. Wednesday, Shuldiner said.
This story is breaking and will be updated as more information becomes available.
