Seattle, Speak Up for Children as SPS Contract Negotiations Go On

Seattle needs to decide if it will be an early adopter or a laggard in education reform, writes guest columnist Norman B. Rice, CEO of the Seattle Foundation and the city's former mayor. The current approaches are failing many students. Citizens should speak up for them.

Rice states, “Each and every city resident — and parent, in particular — needs to get informed about the issues, take a stand and advocate not for the teachers or the school district, but for the kids and the creation of a school system that truly works for them.”

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COMMUNITY GROUPS RENEW PUSH FOR REFORM IN TEACHER CONTRACT; NEGOTIATIONS SET TO CONCLUDE AUGUST 30

In the final weeks of negotiations, community groups have renewed their push for reform in the teacher contract. Today, the “Our Schools Coalition,” a broad a diverse group of more than 30 citywide organizations and city leaders, of which the Alliance is a part, issued open letters to Seattle parents, teachers and school officials urging adoption of a contract that puts student’s interests first and supports teachers as professionals. View the parent letter and the letter to teachers and district officials.

Link to parent letter is http://www.ourschoolscoalition.org/documents/OSC_open_letter_parents_Aug_3_2010.pdf)
Link to teacher/board letter is http://www.ourschoolscoalition.org/documents/OSC_open_letter_Teachers_and_Board_Aug_3_2010.pdf)