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Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators

@seattlecore206.bsky.social

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Rank-and-file SEA educators for racial equity, fully-funded schools, and for building a transparent, social justice union through collective action.

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Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · 2d

Thank you Young Emerging Labor Leaders (YELL) and @labornotes.bsky.social for hosting such an incredible day of learning and organizing at the Puget Sound Troublemakers School.

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Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · 4d

Seattle School Board Update! Cops are not coming back to SPS as the school board rejected the amendment to Board Policy No. 4311.

After many powerful testimonies against bringing police back into the schools, the Board rejected Amendment to Board Policy No. 4311, which would have established a pilot program allowing an armed police officer in Garfield High School. The vote was 5 Nos and 2 Yeas (Hersey and Rankin).

Also during public comment, there were two people who spoke demanding that Seattle Schools end the retaliation and investigation against educators at Interagency who spoke up for their students and community at the end of last school year.

Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · 10d

Read the first edition of The Progress Report at bit.ly/Oct25TPR
To stay more connected and share what is happening in buildings across Seattle, we're excited to share SCORE's new newsletter The Progress Report!
Submit your own story for the next Progress Report at bit.ly/ProgressReportSubmission.

Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · 12d

School is underway, and events are happening. Here are some events that are happening in the next couple weeks.

We hope to see you at some upcoming events!

Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · 21d

Can you spot the Tax the Rich messaging at each of the events?

Tuesday, September 16th was the first SEA Representative Assembly of the school year. Before the meeting, we distributed pamphlets and stickers. The newest pamphlet is a collection of acronyms to help people navigate SEA and SPS. Saturday, September 20th was the Education Funding Labor Forum with a panel of nine people representing childcare to higher ed, and there was an opportunity for attendees to participate in one of the five breakout groups. Sunday, September 21st was the SEA Back to School Social at Jefferson Park. Some of us painted rocks.

Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · 23d

A recap of the September 17th School Board Meeting.
To read the strategic plan, go to bit.ly/SPSstrategicplan2025.

Before the school board meeting, a rally was organized by Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (SAARPR) to amplify the demand to not bring police back into schools. Anakbayan South Seattle also spoke at the rally to demand to not giving more access to military recruiters.

Sixty-four people signed up for public comment; 39 of those ended up on the waitlist. Topics that people signed up to speak about included pushback against SPS’s demand that all high schools have two lunches, a school board proclamation for Orange Shirt Day, and bring a School Engagement Officer (SEO) back to Garfield High School.

The Board voted to postpone the vote on the Amendment to Board Policy No. 4311; the amendment would allow a police officer to be at Garfield High School. The next regular school board meeting is October 8; however, a special meeting may be called to expedite the vote. If there is a special meeting, public comment is required since there is a proposed policy change.

The strategic plan was presented to the Board by acting superintendent Fred Podesta, deputy chief of staff Eric Guerci, and associate superintendent Rocky Torres-Morales.

Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · Sep 15

As we head into the second full week of school, there is a lot of opportunities to engage in events that are important for the union, the school district, and state funding for education.

Reminder! Sat, Sept. 21 at 10am is the Education Funding Labor Forum at Franklin HS. RSVP: bit.ly/sept20forum.

Events
Sept 15-Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept 16: SEA Rep Assembly
Sept 17: School Board Meeting
Sept 20: Education Funding Labor Forum
Sept 21: SCORE Organizing Meeting
Sept 21: SEA Back to School Social

Reposted by Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators

mlklabor.bsky.social @mlklabor.bsky.social · Sep 8

MLK Labor is proud to co-sponsor an Education Funding Forum on Saturday, Sep. 20, at Franklin High School in Seattle.

Educators, labor leaders, families, and lawmakers will come together to discuss how we can win the funding students deserve.

RSVP at bit.ly/sept20forum

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Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · Sep 8

There is no opting out of learning about LGBQT+ identities and history!
seattleschools.org/departments/health-education/lgbtq/sps-for-all

#TeachTruth

There is no opting out of learning about LGBTQ+ identities and history!

On June 27th, the Supreme Court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor rules that caregivers can opt their students out learning about gender and sexuality for religious reasons. However, Seattle Public Schools still upholds that students cannot opt out of learning about particular identities or groups.

Description of Seattle Public School's policy found at: seattleschools.org/departments/health-education/lgbtq/sps-for-all

Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · Sep 4

Welcome to the 2025-26 school year everyone!

Here is a calendar of meetings to use and reference as you plan the school year.

The first SCORE organizing meeting is this Sunday, September 7 at 10am.

Reposted by Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators

mlklabor.bsky.social @mlklabor.bsky.social · Sep 1

THANK YOU to everyone who came out to celebrate Labor Day in Seattle and send a message to the billionaire class.

America belongs to working people.

#LaborDay

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Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · Sep 2

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the SCORE table today at @mlklabor.bsky.social Labor Day event!

We distributed over 400 posters that educators can use for the First Day of School Action.To learn more about the action and print your own posters, visit linktr.ee/SeattleCORE

Solidarity forever!

Celebrating Labor Day and declaring that our students deserve to feel safe!
At MLK Labor’s Labor Day celebration, SCORE distributed over 400 posters that educators can use during the First Day of School Action and put up in their classroom.
[three pictures of the SCORE table including screen printing and a group of 8 people holding signs that read "Seattle educators say: Immigrants are welcome here!"

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Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · Aug 30

Come find SCORE at MLK Labor’s Labor Day event (Monday, Sept 1, 11am-1pm at Cascade Playground) event to get copies of posters and screen prints for the First Day of School Action. We look forward to seeing you!

Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · Aug 29

On Wednesday, September 3, Seattle educators will welcome students back to school with signs that make it clear that immigrants and ALL students are welcome in our schools.
Posters are at linktr.ee/SeattleCORE.
@utlanow.bsky.social did this citywide; Seattle can too!

SCHOOLS ARE A SAFE SPACE FOR ALL!
This summer in Washington State, students, educators, and family members have been violently detained and ripped away from their communities. The time to act is now! Educators stand against this and will fight for our communities!

On first day of school in LA, the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and community held signs to welcome students back to school and to demand ICE stop terrorizing the community. Inspired by UTLA, we will take action here in Seattle on the first day of school.
Join Seattle Educators for a First Day of School Action!
Wednesday, September 3

Seattle educators will welcome students back to school with signs that make it clear that immigrants and ALL students are welcome in our schools.

About 15-30 minutes before school starts, stand collectively, talk to families, and take pictures of the action.

To show a unifying message, we have poster designs in English and Spanish. Posters are at linktr.ee/SeattleCORE.

LA did this citywide; Seattle can too!

Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · Aug 26

As you enter your worksites and begin having conversations about our collective power, we hope this acronym guide will help in that process.

Stay tune for PART II, which has acronyms associated with Seattle Public Schools!

Acronyms abound within the Seattle Education Association and Seattle Public Schools. While not an exhaustive collection of acronyms, this pamphlet strives to provide you with support as you navigate union spaces.

Union affiliates

AFL-CIO: American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations
The central labor organization in the United States that represents more than 13 million working people.

AFT: American Federation of Teachers
Established in 1916, AFT is the second largest educator union in the US. Educator unions are often affiliated with AFT and/or NEA.

EA: Education Association
A local education union that is an affiliate of the National Education Association.

MLK Labor: Martin Luther King, Jr. County Labor Council
Founded in 1888 as King County’s central body of labor aimed at building worker power and strength. It is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. Seattle Education Association is one of the over 150 unions that MLK Labor represents.

NCUEA: National Council of Urban Education Associations
SEA is a member and one of the many local affiliates within NEA that focuses on equity, opportunity, diversity, and access for all students and educators in urban areas.

NEA: National Education Association
Established in 1889 as the Washington State Teachers’ Association. NEA is the largest union in the United States.

SEA: Seattle Education Association
Established in 1958 as Seattle Teachers’ Association (STA) upon the merger of Seattle Association of Classroom Teachers and Seattle Grade School Teachers’ Club. In 1985, STA became SEA. Currently, SEA represents certificated staff, classified staff, office professionals, and substitutes working in Seattle Public Schools.

WEA: Washington Education Association
Established in 1889 as the Washington State Teachers’ Association. WEA is the largest union in Washington.

union representation

AR: Association Representative
An individual who is elected annually by members at the building or program level; they help organize members and support concerns and grievances.

BoD: Board of Director
Comprises of about 35 SEA members elected to serve 2-year terms and represents the different bargaining units and grade levels. If the ethnic diversity of the BoD is not representative of SEA members, BoD members will be appointed.

CBA: Collective Bargaining Agreement
The contract voted on by each members. SEA has three bargaining units, certificated, classified, and SAEOP (Seattle Association of Educational Office Paraprofessionals). They bargain together but have different CBAs.

NBI: New Business Item
A specific, action-oriented proposal submitted by an SEA member and voted on at a RA. If the cost is under $1,500, it can be approved by the BoD without going to the RA.

RA: Representative Assembly, aka Rep Assembly
Monthly union meetings open to all SEA members, but only Association Representatives (ARs) can vote.

UD: UniServ Director
Union staff who help with contract enforcement, organizing, trainings, and collective bargaining; they are employed by WEA thus paid for with your union dues.

UNION Committees and Groups

CRSJ: Center for Racial and Social Justice
SEA has a governance position that supports the work of advocating for the advancement of racial and social equity in the Seattle public school system.

EMAC: Ethnic Minority Affairs Commission
Supports educators of Color by providing a safe space and support system focused on professional interventions and solutions to meet our needs and also provides opportunities to participate in all levels of union activities.

EPEC: Educators for Public Education Committee
An SEA committee endorses Seattle candidates, takes positions on Seattle levies, initiatives, and referendums and makes recommendations to WEA-PAC.

FCPE: NEA Fund for Children and Public Education
NEA’s political action committee that provides direct financial support to recommended candidates federal government who will fight to support teachers, staff, and students and improve public education.

GRC: Grievance Review Commission
Assists individuals and groups found to be unjustly treated. Based on whether there is a contract violation and the grievance is “winnable,” the GRC determines whether to continue a grievance to the final arbitration step.

MCAT: Member Communications Action Team
The member-to-member, grassroots organizing arm of SEA.

WEA-PAC: Washington Education Association Political Action Committee
The political arm of WEA that recommends and elects pro-public education, pro-labor candidates to office. WEA cannot use union dues for political action, so funds are collected separately.

Seattle Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators @seattlecore206.bsky.social · Aug 24

Centering our Points of Unity, over 30 SCORE folks both in-person and online collaborated on goals for the 2025-2026 school year. It was delightful to learn from Arlene Inouye of UTLA and others who shared about how collective power starts with member-to-member organizing.

Summer SCORE Summit 2025
[6 photos of people presenting, listening, and discussing]