The move means substantial disruption for working families, but Rich Wood, spokesperson for the Washington Education Association union, says union executives may decide to expand the strike to impact more children.  Initial strikes will involve about 2,600 teachers.

Union executives would like lawmakers to expand public school spending beyond the increases already planned for 2015-17.  Both the House and Senate passed budgets would already provide boosts for reduced class sizes, teacher pay increase and added school funding.

Teachers receive above-average income.  Many teachers earn above the state average wage, plus health and retirement benefits, and are paid for a shorter, ten-month year compared to earnings for most working families.  The average teacher in Arlington, for example, receives $98,000, including benefits, for a ten-month year.  The average teacher in Ferndale receives $92,000, including benefits, for a ten-month year.

School strikes not lawful.  Strikes at public schools are illegal under state law, but the provision is rarely enforced.  In recent years union executives have used strikes to close schools in Marysville, Tacoma, Kent and Bellevue, and in 2013 used a threatened strike to gain financial benefits in Seattle.

Financial windfall for unions.  For union executives, calling a strike can be a risky but financially rewarding decision.  Millions of dollars are involved, and increases in teacher pay can lead to a windfall for union executives.  Union membership is mandatory in public schools, and teachers must agree to pay dues and fees each month or be fired.  Executives for the WEA union take in about $33 million a year in monthly dues and fees drawn from teacher pay checks.

Private and charter schools exempt.  Teachers at private schools and charter public schools are not required to pay a union as a condition of employment if they choose not to.

Community information.  Below is information about the communities where children will be affected by school strikes.  Data is provided by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Office of Financial Management and the Employment Security Department (details below).  Except where noted, the figures are for the 2014-15 school year.

Arlington schools information

$98,700 – teacher salary average with benefits
$73,916 – teacher salary average
$53,422 – area taxpayer wage average (2013)

5,199 – number of students
$54.3 million – annual budget
$10,452 – budget per student
            (16% increase since 2012)
263 – number of teachers
            (staffing for class sizes of 19.7 students)
$232,246 – Superintendent salary (Kristine McDuffy)

Bellingham schools information

$90,383 – teacher salary average with benefits
$68,560 – teacher salary average
$41,334 – area taxpayer wage average (2013)

10,667 – number of students
$120.3 million – annual budget
$11,277 – budget per student
            (11.7% increase since 2012)
575 – number of teachers
            (staffing for class sizes of 18.5 students)
$298,050 – Superintendent salary (Greg Baker)

Blaine schools information

$88,512 – teacher salary average with benefits
$66,365 – teacher salary average
$41,334 – area taxpayer wage average (2013)

2,050 – number of students
$24.1 million – annual budget
$11,754 – budget per student
            (16.4% increase since 2012)
109 – number of teachers
            (staffing for class sizes of 18.8 students)
$141,844 – Superintendent salary (Ronald C. Spanjer)

Ferndale schools information

$92,019 – teacher salary average with benefits
$69,325 – teacher salary average
$41,334 – area taxpayer wage average (2013)

4,675 – number of students
$56.2 million – annual budget
$12,017 – budget per student
            (24.8% increase since 2012)
244 – number of teachers
            (staffing for class sizes of 19.1 students)
$164,790 – Superintendent salary (Linda Quinn)

Lakewood schools information

$92,753 - teacher salary average with benefits
$70,284 - teacher salary average
$53,422 - area taxpayer wage average (2013)

2,235 - number of students
$23.2 million - annual budget
$10,425 - budget per student
            (10% increase since 2012)
110 - number of teachers
            (staffing for class sizes of 20.3 students)
$147,211 - Superintendent salary (Michael Mack)

Mount Vernon schools information

$79,659 – teacher salary average with benefits
$59,449 – teacher salary average
$40,060 – area taxpayer wage average (2013)

6,655 – number of students
$75.1 million – annual budget
$11,284 – budget per student
            (10.5% increase since 2012)
359 – number of teachers
            (staffing for class sizes of 18.5 students)
$152,917 – Superintendent’s salary (Carl Bruner)

Sedro-Woolley schools information

$82,359 – teacher salary average with benefits
$62,178 – teacher salary average
$40,060 – area taxpayer wage average (2013)

4,184 – number of students
$46.2 million – annual budget
$11,046 – budget per student
            (10.7% increase since 2012)
227 – number of teachers
            (staffing for class sizes of 18.4 students)
$142,500 -  Superintendent salary (Phil Brockman)

Stanwood-Camano schools information

$93,241 – teacher salary average with benefits
$70,669 – teacher salary average
$53,422 – area taxpayer average wage (2013)

4,294 – number of students
$48.8 million –annual budget
$11,364 - budget per student
            (21% increase since 2012)
211 – number of teachers
            (staffing for class sizes of 20.3 students)
$212,440 – Superintendent salary (Jean Shumate)

Sources:

“Workload/Staffing/Finance Reports, School Districts,” Washington State K-12 Finance Data, at fiscal.wa.gov/K12Districts.aspx.

“Table 15: Certificated Superintendent – Duty Root 11, School District Personnel Summary Profiles – 2014—15 – Preliminary,” School Apportionment and Financial Services, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction, at www.k12.wa.us/safs/PUB/PER/1415/ps.asp.  

“Table 19: Certificated Teacher – Duty Roots 31, 32, 33, School District Personnel Summary Profiles – 2014—15 – Preliminary,” School Apportionment and Financial Services, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction, atwww.k12.wa.us/safs/PUB/PER/1415/tbl19.pdf. 

“Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom County Profiles,” by Anneliese Vance-Sherman, PhD, Employment Security Department, Washington State, September 2014, at fortress.wa.gov/esd/employmentdata/reports-publications/regional-reports/county-profiles/snohomish-county-profile.