MOSES LAKE, Wash. — Teachers in the Moses Lake School District went on strike Monday morning, canceling classes as educators picketed outside schools. The district announced within the last two hours that it has not reached a deal with the teachers’ union, meaning students will have another day off Tuesday.
The Moses Lake Education Association began its strike at 8 a.m., with teachers gathering outside multiple schools including Garden Heights Elementary to protest ongoing contract negotiations.
The union says it’s asking for many of the same provisions from its last contract but can’t come to an agreement with the district.
Megan Cox, a first-grade teacher at Groff Elementary, joined the picket line even in the snow from 8 a.m. to noon.
“It’s very disheartening. We had trust in our district last year when we said we would give up these things for a year to help them out. Then to have them not reciprocate and give us back what we gave them, it’s very disheartening and frustrating,” Cox said.
“Where we want to be and our goal is to be in our classrooms. That’s where we want to be, we want to be with our students. But we also deserve the respect. So if this is how we have to go about getting it, this is what we’re going to do,” Cox added.
The union hopes the district brings back teacher and paraeducator positions that were cut during the district’s financial crisis last year. The teachers also want opportunities for professional development that they say were in previous contracts.
Heather Whittall, president of the Moses Lake Education Association, said the focus should be on students and supporting teachers.
“That’s part of our message is the priority should be the students, what the students need. The priority should be helping the teachers be the best they can be. They’re on the front lines and the kids need it,” Whittall said.
“The resources need to come down into the classrooms. That’s essentially what we want. We want to be the best educators possible, give our kids what they deserve and that’s the best education,” Whittall added.
Superintendent Carol Lewis expressed concern about the disruption to education.
“Any work stoppage is a disruption to the educational process. So I’m worried for our staff, our students. Even one day is a disruption. We can’t predict how long this is going to last but the district is committed to working with the association,” Lewis said.
The district says it will continue to negotiate with the teachers this week.
During the strike, parents will need to scramble to find child care. Kids or parents can pick up breakfast and lunch at elementary schools between 11 a.m. and noon.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department is offering an all-day camp at the Larson Recreation Center for parents who need child care.
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