The Kent Education Association released a statement Sunday afternoon that a contract settlement has not been reached with the Kent School District and there will be no school Monday.
The statement was posted on the association’s blogassociation’s blog at about noon.
Dale Folkerts, spokesman for the union, said if an agreement was not reached by noon today, there would not be time to get the information out to parents and teachers for school to start Monday.
“We are saddened the district has not taken these issues seriously enough to bring a compromise,” Folkerts said by phone Sunday. “The issues are the classes are too crowded and too many administrative meetings. It robs the teachers’ time with the students.”
Pay has also been an issue, but according to Folkerts it did not spark the strike.
Folkerts said he believes if the other two issues had been dealt with the union and district could have come to an agreement over wages.
The most difficult negotiating point according to Folkerts is the district “refuses to put a cap on class sizes. They will not compromise on what the top limit number is.”
Folkerts said the strike will last “until there is movement.”
The union is planning a candlelight vigil for the members at 8 p.m. tonight at the plaza outside ShoWare Center, 625 W. James.
Covington Reporter Editor Dennis Box can be reached at editor@maplevalleyreporter.com or 425-432-1209 ext. 5050.
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