Union’s strike demands put some school budgets into deficit; districts may seek state bailout

The WEA union’s decision to target districts with teacher strikes just as the school year was starting disrupted the education of thousands of public education students, although teachers at the state’s charter public schools did not strike.

As a result of union strike demands, many districts ended up putting their school budgets into deficit.

This summer, officials at 250 (out of 295) school districts negotiated new teacher contracts.  As a pressure tactic, executives at the powerful WEA union targeted 29 school districts with strikes, even though teachers strikes are not permitted under state law.  Of these, 15 districts were hit with strikes, putting some 164,000 students out of school.  In all, the education of one in three children were affected by actual or threatened strike action this year.

Political conflict is a central part of Washington state’s education system.  Federal data shows a child’s education in Washington is more likely to be disrupted by union strike action than in any other state.

The disruptions come at a time of record increases in school budgets.  The legislature passed a large property tax increase and added $7.3 billion to education spending over the next four years.  This year spending averages $15,000 per student, more than the tuition at most private schools.