Superintendent Art O. Jarvis has determined that school will resume tomorrow, Sept. 15. Tacoma Public Schools will operate on a two-hour late start schedule with normal bus routes for students. Staff members, including teachers, should report for their normal full-day schedule to prepare for the arrival of students.
Earlier today, Pierce County Superior Court Judge Bryan Chushcoff issued a temporary restraining order against the Tacoma Education Association strike, and he directed teachers to return to Tacoma’s classrooms while bargaining continues.
The reopening of school comes after the Tacoma Public Schools filed a complaint with the Pierce County Superior Court on Sept. 12, the first day of the teachers’ strike. The district asked the court to issue an injunction directing teachers back to work so the education of Tacoma’s students could continue while the district and union work toward an agreement on labor issues.
“As the judge encouraged us, the district’s bargaining team stands ready to continue negotiating in good faith with our teachers’ association,” said Jarvis. “Like everyone in our community, I want to see this labor issue resolved so we can all turn our attention toward our shared mission of educating Tacoma’s 28,000 students.”
Tacoma teachers voted to strike on Sept. 12. In court, the district argued that the work stoppage denies Tacoma’s 28,083 students their education. In addition, the strike negatively impacts students who receive special education services, those who rely on the free and reduced-price meal program, this year’s seniors, students who attend programs not available in their home districts, incarcerated students and working parents, as well as non-striking school employees and the greater Tacoma community.
Please visit tacomaschools.org or call the Labor Negotiations Hotline at 253-571-1302 for regular updates.