Sequim teachers pick date of single-day walkout

SEQUIM — Sequim teachers will walk out on Monday, May 18, and students will have the day off.

The Sequim School Board decided Monday night that classes would be canceled that day but that extracurricular activities would remain as they are scheduled.

The day will be made up on June 18.

The Sequim Education Association voted last week to have the 175 teachers of the district join a statewide rolling walkout — in which unionized teachers strike for one day — in protest of legislative inaction on fully funding public education.

The union is among the two dozen statewide that had joined the protest, according to the Washington Education Association.

Teachers in Port Angeles are expected this week to consider joining the rolling walkout as well.

Unions in other districts on the North Olympic Peninsula have not taken action.

Linsay Porter Rapelje, acting president of the Sequim Education Association, has said teachers are increasingly frustrated by legislative inaction on meeting the state Supreme Court’s deadlines for the state to fully fund for education.

The court ordered full funding of kindergarten-through-12th-grade education in the state’s public schools by 2018 in its 2012 McCleary ruling in a case that has its roots in Chimacum.

The court cited legislators last September for contempt for making no progress toward the goal and gave them until the end of the legislative session this year to show progress or risk sanctions.

The Legislature began a special session April 29 to consider education funding, among other actions.

More in News

Immigration fears hit Olympic Peninsula

Law enforcement agencies won’t deport individuals

Local immigrants worry about federal orders

As President Donald Trump steps into office and reports… Continue reading

Jefferson commissioners to discuss sheriff appointment

Three candidates named by Jefferson County Democrats

Eric Spencer, a landscaping and janitorial worker for New Life Open Bible Church, clears snow from a sidewalk next to the church at Sixth and Peabody streets in Port Angeles on Thursday morning. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
After snowfall, cold temperatures expected today

Morning commutes could continue to be icy, weather service says

Public opposes rezone of Port Townsend park

City has funded housing site layout study

Port Townsend Food Co-op sets date for union election

Simple majority needed to approve ballot

OMC board seeking candidates to fill spot

Commissioners also make all seven positions at-large

Port Angeles brothers Finley Bornsworth, 3, left, and Oliver Bornsworth, 6, take a snowy sled ride on the campus of Port Angeles High School on Tuesday. Overnight snowfall left a mantle of white over much of the North Olympic Peninsula with an additional chance of snow showers forecast through the weekend. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Snow day

Port Angeles brothers Finley Bornsworth, 3, left, and Oliver Bornsworth, 6, take… Continue reading

Funding freeze may affect Port Angeles grants

Judge extends block of Trump action

City of Port Angeles updates mobile and itinerant vendor code

Effective March 1, process expands definitions, establishes criteria

Port Angeles school board approves criteria for new leader

Directors looking for visionary innovator with extensive experience

Madison Canterbury, 7, of Shelton looks at a Valentine’s gift she created with the assistance of volunteers Chandra McGuff, left, and Nicole Lemon at a craft table set up outside the Silver Lining Cafe at The Wharf on Saturday on the Port Angeles waterfront. Youngsters were given the opportunity to create gifts and Valentine’s cookies during the event. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Valentine’s gift

Madison Canterbury, 7, of Shelton looks at a Valentine’s gift she created… Continue reading