SEATTLE — The largest school district in Washington state did not welcome students back for the second day in a row after its educators' union went on strike.
Wednesday would have been the first day of school for Seattle Public Schools, which serves more than 50,000 students. Picketers have been lining up at schools across the district after the Seattle Education Association overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike on Tuesday. Of the 75% of members who voted, 95% voted in favor of a strike.
The union is seeking to improve staffing ratios in special education, while the district said it is focusing on student needs"rather than fixed staff ratios" to improve service and inclusion. As bargaining continued on Wednesday, both the union and district seemed optimistic they could reach an agreement on the new school year contract soon.