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WSTA representative urges Washington Unified to find funds to retain teachers
Summary
Mr. Russell, speaking for WSTA, urged the board to direct district leaders to rework budgets and make compensation more competitive after several educators left for neighboring districts; he described a history of unmet expectations and said the district must prioritize retaining staff.
Mr. Russell, speaking as a representative of the teachers’ association, told trustees the district has lost teachers this summer to neighboring districts with higher pay and asked the board to direct the superintendent and CBO to find flexibility in the budget to retain talent.
Russell said bargaining had promised a 4% increase but that the district later assigned $16 million to budget stabilization, a move he described as misleading to members. He noted contractual annual raises for district executives and contrasted that with the bargaining position for teachers: “If WSTA members were allotted 4.25% every year, we would not even need to meet at the table,” he said, and later added, “I don't know how I make it to June,” describing emotional strain and burnout.
Trustees acknowledged the concern and thanked classified and certificated staff for their summer work. Board members asked staff to continue updates on staffing, enrollment and recruitment efforts as the school year progresses.
Next steps: Trustees and staff noted bargaining begins Aug. 19 and said the board will remain involved in budget and recruitment conversations going forward.
