Shoreline Support Professionals and Educators Vote For A Potential One Day Walkout

Despite months of contract negotiations, Shoreline Schools and SESPA (Shoreline Educational Support Professionals Association) have not reached an agreement. SESPA members include school office staff, paraeducators, family advocates, nurses, security personnel (middle and high schools), career center staff (high schools), accounting and payroll professionals. Neighboring school districts (Edmonds and Northshore) have reached agreements with their SESPA members. 

Shoreline voters overwhelmingly approved millions in new local school funding this year by passing two levies. So why are the district's support professionals being told there isn't enough money to provide them a meaningful pay increase?

The new replacement levy doesn't begin generating its authorized revenue until 2027, and the district says it faces a structural deficit even with the levy. The district's budget materials say levy revenue is already fully absorbed and that compensation costs can rise faster than the state's funding formula, despite a $ 14 million "unreserved fund balance," which consists of money carried forward to provide operating cash and protection against revenue fluctuations and unexpected costs. The district's own policy says its unreserved fund balance should generally be 4%–5% of General Fund expenditures. The current balance is about 7%.

If an agreement isn't reached over the weekend, SESPA members have voted for a one-day walkout on Monday, September 14th, and the Washington Education Association (WEA), consisting of certificated employees/teachers, has voted to support them and would join them on the one-day walkout. 

SESPA Co-President Mario Orallo had this to say:

SESPA is looking forward to meeting with the District this morning and hearing what they have to offer. We’ve asked them to be prepared to bargain through the weekend because we’re committed to reaching an agreement. Despite the generosity of our community in passing the levy, the District still seems hesitant to meet the needs of our members. We need to be able to attract and retain great staff, especially when neighboring districts are paying significantly more. Our students are our north star, and they deserve consistent, well-resourced staff who are there for them year after year! That is what we are fighting for!

Shoreline Schools has been contacted for comment but hasn't replied. 
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