2026 Seattle Public Schools Bargaining Updates

For the past several months, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) has come to the bargaining table with purpose, persistence, and a clear commitment to students, families, educators, and schools. SPS remains steadfast in its commitment to working with Seattle Education Association (SEA) to achieve an agreement that serves all students, supports our employees, remains fiscally prudent, and positions our schools for a successful year.

On August 28, SPS proposed a comprehensive agreement that increases educator compensation by nearly 9% over three years, expands student mental health and special education support, and invests in professional development, all while maintaining fiscal stability.

Key investments include:

• Increased access to special education in neighborhood schools  
• Expanded elementary school mental health supports  
• Targeted professional development time  
• Increase in the number of school psychologists 

We understand there has been interest in our proposals. Please see district rationale below.

SPS Proposals

Compensation and Benefits

Proposed Salary Increases 

SPS is proposing a guaranteed salary increase of2.6% in 2026-27, 3.6% in 2027-28, and 2.6% in 2028-29, totaling nearly 9% over 3 years. These increases would be in addition to annual salary-step increases, which average around 4% per year for eligible employees, recognizing educators’ contributions while allowing SPS to plan responsibly across multiple years. 

• As a point of comparison, management and other non-represented staff will receive a 1.73% increase in 2026-27 and are required to take two furlough days. This means that the District’s offer to SEA in year 2026-27 is more than 2.5 times greater than what management and other non-represented staff will receive. 

Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) Contributions 

SPS is proposing the creation of VEBA accounts for employees in 2026-27, with district contributions of $10 per month in 2027-28 and $15 per month in 2028-29 to support future health care needs after retirement.

This is good for educators because it would help employees prepare for future health care expenses after retirement. Establishing VEBA accounts and gradually increasing district contributions would provide an additional long-term benefit beyond employees’ regular compensation. 

Special Education and School Supports

Student-Responsive Special Education Staffing 

Improving the staff-to-student ratios for almost 70% of all our students with IEPs, thus lowering the caseload for these teachers.  

This will be good for both students and educators because it provides every school with a base level of special education staffing while directing additional staffing to schools where documented student needs require more support. This approach would help more students receive appropriate services in their neighborhood schools and give educators greater access to the specialized support needed to serve students effectively.  

Proactive Behavior Support  

Creating 40 new paraprofessional and certificated staff positions for a proactive district-wide program to support academic, behavior, social, and emotional needs of students. The proposal also expands proactive behavior support by adding regional teams that work directly with schools. They provide training, coaching, and hands-on help so students can get support sooner, in their own school.  

This is good for students because it focuses on providing support early, giving schools the resources and expertise needed to help students succeed and stay engaged in learning. 

Regional Behavior Support Teams 

Creating 70 paraprofessional and certificated staff positions for a proactive district-wide program to support academic, behavior, social, and emotional needs of students.  

This is good for both students and educators because regional teams and district-employed specialists would provide schools with proactive coaching, consultation, training, and direct assistance. This support would give educators additional tools for responding to student needs and help schools create positive, supportive learning environments. 

Creating Six Additional District-wide School Psychologist Positions 

Creating 6 additional district-wide school psychologist positions

This is good for both students and educators because it would increase the district’s capacity to conduct student evaluations and support the rollout of new Specific Learning Disability eligibility guidelines. 

Mental Health and Counseling 

Increasing elementary school support by providing additional funding so that every elementary school with over 350 students has either a full-time counselor or social worker.  

This is good for kids because additional counselors and social workers would provide students with greater access to academic, social, emotional, and behavioral support at school. The proposal would direct additional staffing to elementary schools with more than 350 students, where the number of students creates a greater demand for these services. 

Multilingual Learners

Multilingual Learner Staffing and Stipends 

Lowering instructional assistant ratios from 35 students per instructional assistant to 33, while maintaining current teacher ratios.

This is good for both students and educators because it helps ensure multilingual learners receive consistent support as they build language skills and access learning. Lowering instructional assistant ratios and maintaining current teacher ratios would provide consistent support to multilingual learners. Continuing stipends for multilingual learner department heads and elementary specialists would also recognize the educators who provide leadership and specialized assistance in this important area. 

Instructional Leadership, and Professional Learning 

Consulting Teachers

10 consulting teachers to support educators who are new to the profession or who need additional support. 

This is good for both kids and educators because new teachers who receive coaching and support are more likely to develop strong instructional practices and remain in the profession. Students benefit from more effective teaching, greater instructional consistency, and stronger classroom learning environments.

Training and Mentoring for Classified Staff 

Creating training plans for paraprofessionals and SAEOP employees beginning in the 2027-28 school year and developing a mentoring program for classified staff.  

This is good for both kids and educators because paraprofessionals and SAEOP employees play essential roles in supporting students, families, classrooms, and school operations. Developing training plans and a mentoring program would help classified employees build their skills, learn from experienced colleagues, and receive more consistent support in their work.  

Increase the annual building-based Teacher Leader Cadre stipend

Increase the annual building-based Teacher Leader Cadre stipend from $3,471 to $5,000, an increase of more than 40%.   

This is good for both kids and educators because teacher leaders play an important role in mentoring colleagues, sharing effective practices, and supporting school improvement efforts. Recognizing and supporting these leadership responsibilities helps strengthen teaching across entire schools, which directly benefits student learning. 

Targeted early-release time for professional learning, planning, and collaboration aligned to district and school goals   

Targeted early-release time for professional learning, planning, and collaboration aligned to district and school goals.   

This is good for both kids and educators because educators need dedicated time to collaborate, review student data, improve instructional practices, and align their work to school priorities. When educators learn and plan together, students benefit from stronger instruction and more consistent educational experiences across classrooms. 

Lowering the number of mandated staff meetings from every week to three times a month   

This is good for both kids and educators because it provides educators with additional time for lesson planning, student support, family communication, and professional collaboration while maintaining regular opportunities for schoolwide communication. More time focused on teaching and supporting students can have a direct positive impact on student outcomes. 

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Tentative Agreements

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Establishes clear guidelines for responsible AI use in schools so technology supports teaching and learning while protecting privacy, fairness, and student-centered relationships. 

This is good for both kids and educators because clear expectations for the responsible use of artificial intelligence allow schools to benefit from new technology while protecting privacy, supporting fairness, and ensuring that human judgment and relationships remain central to teaching and learning. 

ASL Interpreters

Supports educational interpreters in meeting new state certification requirements while maintaining services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. 

This is good for kids because supporting interpreters in meeting new certification requirements helps maintain high-quality services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and ensures they have full access to educational opportunities. 

Building Access

Strengthens school safety through improved access procedures and a collaborative process for addressing security concerns. 

This is good for both kids and educators because stronger building access procedures help create safe, welcoming schools while giving staff and district leaders a structured way to work together to address security concerns and support student learning. 

Paraprofessionals Laptops

Ensures all paraprofessional staff will have access to the technology needed to do their work.  

This is good for kids because providing paraprofessionals with reliable technology improves their ability to support students, communicate with teachers and families, access instructional resources, and contribute more effectively to classroom success. 

Personnel Files, Representation Rights, Due Process, and Arbitration

Clarifies workplace rights and processes, supporting fairness, transparency, and accountability. 

This is good for educators because clearly defined rights and processes promote transparency, consistency, and fairness, helping employees understand expectations and feel confident that workplace concerns will be handled appropriately. 

Right to Return

Increases stability for students and school communities during staffing adjustments by expanding opportunities for displaced employees to return to available positions at their previous schools. 

This is good for kids and educators because expanding opportunities for employees to return to their previous school after staffing changes helps maintain trusted relationships, school stability, and continuity of services for students and families. 

Safe School Zones and Protections 

Reinforces safe, welcoming, and inclusive schools by strengthening protections for students and staff and supporting family engagement. 

This is good for kids because strengthening protections and reinforcing inclusive school environments helps ensure every student feels safe, respected, supported, and ready to learn, while encouraging strong partnerships with families and caregivers. 

Time and Attendance Systems

Allows SPS to modernize systems to improve accuracy, efficiency, and accountability while ensuring employee impacts are addressed through bargaining. 

This is good for educators because modernized systems improve accuracy, efficiency, and accountability, reducing administrative burdens while ensuring employees have a voice in how workplace changes are implemented. 

Voluntary Transfer for Paraprofessionals and SAEOP Employees

Creates clearer opportunities for current classified employees during transfer process. 

This is good for both kids and educators because clearer voluntary transfer opportunities help classified employees move into roles that better match their skills, interests, and school needs. This supports staff retention, reduces disruption, and helps students benefit from experienced employees who are well-positioned to support them. 

Last updated: Aug. 29, 2026