Public and parent involvement in the upcoming labor contract negotiation between Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle teacher's union is increasing!   There's a new coalition in town, and they are making waves with their recommendations for the soon-to-be negotiated teachers' contract.

CPPS has been involved for  over a year in discussing ways to improve teacher quality and make sure parent voices are heard during negotiation of the this year's labor contract between the Seattle Education Association (Seattle teacher's union) and Seattle Public Schools.  We gave voice to the parent leaders who initially lobbied last year to bring the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) to Seattle to analyze how well our teachers and district are serving students. In addition, CPPS collaborated with several parent-driven and community organizations to release a Community Values Statement in January.  This statement highlights the need for improvements to teacher AND principal quality (based on the findings of the NCTQ report), and it also stresses the importance of engagement and communication with families.

The new Our Schools Coalition  is extending these community efforts in their release of a list of issues they hope to see addressed in the new teacher labor contract. The Coalition outlines specific contract goals, reflective of many of the ideas contained in the Community Values Statement.  For a complete list of Coalition-supported proposed changes to the teacher contract and a list of Coalition members click here.  

CPPS is interested in the work of the Our Schools Coalition, but our work is about more than just trying to change the way teachers are hired, fired and evaluated.  

Families must be involved in school leadership and policy decisions.  CPPS and our partners believe that the School Board should improve transparency around the contract negotiations, highlighting district priorities, and sharing outcomes with the community.  They should solicit public feedback before, during, and after the contract negotiations process, since our teacher and principal contracts govern the lion's share of what happens in our classrooms and schools.  We will continue to work to make sure Seattle Schools officials engage in meaningful two-way communication with families so that families have a voice when major decisions are made, and hope the Our Schools Coalition will do the same.

Yes, parents and the public CAN have a say in the negotiation of our teacher labor contract.  CPPS hopes that you will take this opportunity to review the Community Values Statement and the Our Schools Coalition's suggestions for changes to the teacher contract.  Let us know what you think.  Contact Stephanie Jones, with your comments.