South Whidbey School District teachers may join thousands of other Washington State educators in a protest against the state’s lack of funding for public schools.
Teachers in at least 12 Washington State school districts have either already walked out or proclaimed their intent to do so.
Teachers in Bellingham, Ferndale, Blaine, Mount Vernon, Conway and Anacortes walked out on Friday.
School was closed in Lakewood and Stanwood-Camano school districts Wednesday.
In Arlington, regular classes were held Wednesday morning but the day ended early for a teachers rally in the afternoon.
Walkouts scheduled for next week include Oak Harbor and Sedro-Woolley.
According to an email from Jo Moccia, South Whidbey School District superintendent, South Whidbey Education Association polled its members and collected votes this week to determine if a walkout will occur in the near future.
As of Wednesday, Moccia and school principals did not know the outcome of the vote.
According to Moccia, district administrators expect teachers will give notice beforehand if they decide to walk out.
Val Brown of the South Whidbey Education Association had not yet responded to a request for information as of Thursday evening.
Rich Wood, communications organizer for the Washington Education Association, also could not be reached for comment.
In an email sent to inquiring parents, district principals and The Record Tuesday, Moccia referred to the fact that the court has reiterated several times that the state is not meeting its obligation to fully fund public education.
The budgets distributed by the senate, house, governor and state superintendent fall short, she wrote, though each has its “merits and drawbacks.”
“Many teachers across our state have decided on a method to take action to demonstrate that the children of the state are not being served and to call attention to the legislature, Governor, etc., that the budgets are not in line with the needs of students,” Moccia wrote. “That is the one day walk-out.”
If a walkout occurs, South Whidbey School District will be in session for a makeup day Monday, June 15.
