Six days before the start of school, Our Lady of Guadalupe students, staff, and families gathered Wednesday evening to celebrate the results of what OLG said three months ago would be a “summer of construction.” They cut a ribbon across a section of new fencing – which along with new windows and a new roof comprised most – but not all – of the upgrades.

OLG principal Lauren Hobbs expressed gratitude for everyone who made the upgrades happen.

And pastor Fr. Phuong Hoang offered a prayer giving thanks:

They’re in our video along with Amy Hall of the Fulcrum Foundation, which gave financial support for the project:

The short outdoor ceremony was blessed by a bit of rain:

School and parish staff commemorated the occasion with group photos in various configurations:

Then everyone got to go inside and look through the new windows, among other things:

New time and date displays were part of an upgrade otherwise meant to be more heard than seen – a new intercom system:

OLG says the school building dates back to the early ’60s.

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The superintendent of Seattle Public Schools usually chooses one school for a spotlight visit on the first day of the school year. This morning, the “back-to-school press conference” was held at the new Alki Elementary, and it had extra interest because the school year’s start was in doubt until late last night, when the district reached a tentative agreement with its educators’ union.

Alki Elementary principal Mason Skeffington was the first spotlight speaker. He said their first-day enrollment is 416 students and thanked voters “for making this beautiful school a reality for us.” (The district’s BEX levy program covered its ~$67 million cost.)

Superintendent Ben Shuldiner followed. “We did it – we got to open up school!” He thanked familiesfor their “grace” in dealing with late word on the deal. He noted it’s his seventh month on the job, and he says it’s clear that Seattle “care(s) about public education … This year’s going to be a refresh on many things,” including curriculum, teaching methodology, and more – “systems and structures we have to change.”

First question was, what was the major sticking point that dragged out the talks? It’s a “hundreds of pages long” contract, he noted, saying there was just “a lot we had to get through.” The union/district relationship is also getting a reset as of this deal, he noted. Where does he see areas in which that reset will happen? “(We are) really starting to trust each other,” he replied, after years of “strikes and last-minute changes and school closure (proposals).”

How much will the contract cost? They’ll release numbers later, he replied, but “the cost … allows us now to tackle the really systemic budget issues.” How soon is later? After ratification. What compromises did the district make? He wouldn’t get into details on that either, but stressed that the areas of agreement included salary and special education.

How will the district fund the changes? Not filling some open positions, is one thing he mentioned, And he said that there’s not much difference from the budget the board recently passed. The district will still have about $27 million on hand by year’s end (a cushion he had described as “scary”).

Are school closures/consolidations still “on the table” eventually? Yes, “all options” are. And no, opening a new school like Alki is not “ironic,” he said – for one, the funding comes from different sources. He called the new Alki Elementary “a lighthouse for the community.”

Then he was asked for details on the special education agreement, and he said what he’d said a few days ago, wanting to look at special education as “a service, not a place.” He said they’ll be working on it “over a few years” …”with actual outcomes.” He hopes to eventually have a briefing just about that issue. “This district has to (think about it differently).” There is a “pilot program” built into the new contract, he confirmed.

In response to another question, he confirmed that the final agreed-to salary increase is a “little” above the 8.8 percent over three years that he had said earlier the district had offered.

He also was asked about his “super-long email” earlier in the week. He said he thought it “set a wonderful tone for us to move forward.”

We asked non-contract-related questions: What changes in teaching/learning this year? He said the (corrected) K-5 “Emerge! curriculum” is the biggest, but also, changes in how technology an screen time are used, and there’ll be some announcements in the next few weeks.

Any federal funding changes of concern ahead? They’ve been keeping watch on Title 1. “Right now, we feel good” that no further changes are imminent. He also talked about the state budget having fallen in the percentage devoted to education – it used to be over 50 percent, he said, and now it’s “in the low 40s.” So he hopes for legislators and voters’ support to “make sure that education goes back above 50 percent of the state budget?” He also lamented the “cap” on “money the good people of Seattle want to give us.”

The briefing wrapped up after half an hour.

12:46 PM: Here’s our video:

10:57 PM: Just in, school will start tomorrow for Seattle Public Schools first through twelfth graders. From the district:

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is pleased to announce that the 2026-27 school year will begin as scheduled on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The first day of school for preschool and kindergarten students will be on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

This news follows a tentative agreement reached between SPS and the Seattle Education Association (SEA) on a contract to replace the one that expired on Aug. 31. SPS and SEA have been engaged in negotiations throughout the summer and worked diligently to reach an agreement that supports students, staff, and school communities.

We know the uncertainty surrounding the start of the school year has been difficult for our students, families, and staff. We appreciate your patience and understanding as both parties worked through the bargaining process.

While there were two sides at the bargaining table, we share a common goal: ensuring every Seattle Public Schools student receives a high-quality education in a supportive learning environment. We are grateful for the efforts of everyone involved in reaching this tentative agreement and making it possible for students to begin school on time.

Additional information about the tentative agreement and bargaining process is available on the district’s Collective Bargaining Updates webpage.

11:07 PM: The SEA version of the announcement adds:

The tentative agreement remains subject to ratification by both parties. The Seattle Education Association membership and the Seattle School Board must each convene to consider and vote on the agreement. Dates and details for the ratification process will be announced as soon as possible.

12:29 AM: We can expect to hear more about the deal later today. First up, SPS superintendent Ben Shuldiner has announced he’ll talk to the media about the nee school year this morning at the new Alki Elementary, which he visited for the ribboncutting ceremony just a week ago.

Earlier:

9:43 PM: Just in from Seattle Public Schools – posted moments ago: “Sept. 1, 9:30 p.m. update: Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and the Seattle Education Association (SEA) continue to engage in productive negotiations, and progress is being made. Both sides remain hard at work and are getting very close as discussions continue. We expect to provide another update within the next hour.” (We’ll add that to this post as soon as we get it.)

10:48 PM: No update yet.

Going on 9 pm, and no definitive word yet on whether Seattle Public Schools will open on schedule tomorrow. In case they don’t, some resource plans already have been announced – here’s what we know so far (and we’ll add anything more we get):

CITY ANNOUNCES RECREATION, FOOD PLANS: This long list from the mayor’s office includes some locations of local note.

FAMILY ‘COWORKING CAMP’: Announced by Kinship Collaborative, this offering if there’s a strike:

Co-Working Camp at Peace Lutheran by Kinship Collaborative
A place for families to work, play, connect, and belong while school is out.

During the Seattle educator strike, Kinship Collaborative is partnering with Peace Lutheran Church to create Co-Working Camp, a welcoming daytime gathering space for school-aged kids and their caregivers.

Weekdays during the educator strike, 8:00 AM–1:00 PM, Peace Lutheran Church in West Seattle

Bring your laptop, your kids, some snacks, and whatever you need to make the day work. Caregivers can settle in and get some work done while kids spend time together with opportunities for art, games, movement, reading, creative projects, and plenty of choice and downtime.

Co-Working Camp is intentionally queer-affirming and neurodivergent-affirming. We know unexpected school closures can be especially disruptive for kids who depend on predictable routines, specialized supports, or affirming communities. We want families to have somewhere they know they can show up as they are and belong.

All families are welcome who are committed to helping us create a space where queer, trans, neurodivergent, and disabled kids and families are fully welcomed and celebrated.

This is a community gathering, not drop-off childcare. A caregiver must remain onsite and is responsible for supervising and meeting the needs of their child. Kinship will help hold the space, offer activities, and create opportunities for kids and caregivers to connect.

We’re creating Co-Working Camp as one small way our community can care for families while families support Seattle educators. Come for the morning. Come for a few hours. Bring what you need. We’ll make it through together.

forms.gle/LTj4qa8eNkS1dRbT7

Peace Lutheran is on the northeast corner of 39th SW and SW Thistle.

MODE TO OFFER DROP-IN CAMPS: Mode Music and Performing Arts in North Delridge plans to offer drop-in camps if there’s a strike.

–

5:11 PM: We’re outside district HQ, where negotiations continue inside, and teachers are gathering for a rally, 14 or so hours before what’ll either be the first day of school or first day of a strike. Signs are being picked up in case of the latter.

We talked with one local teacher, Sam from Pathfinder K-8, who expressed ‘cautious optimism’; updates to come, including the district’s promised 5:30ish update.

5:28 PM: The speeches have begun. Emcee says ‘we’re here for a fair contract.’ These are rabble-rousing speeches, no talk yet of progress or optimism. First speaker is Katie Garrow of MLK Labor, with a message of labor solidarity.

5:34 PM: next speakers are two union bargaining team members. … One was speaking when the rest of the team made a surprise guest appearance behind her. The speaker said they’re trying to make lemonade.

5:45 PM: County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda is giving the most fiery speech so far. ‘We can do better, we must do better’ than having a ‘broke’ district in a city and state with so much private wealth.

5:54 PM: State legislator Gerry Pollet is telling the teachers that the Legislature failed them and that more needs to be done to appropriately fund public education. … The district’s promised 5:30 pm update is simply: “Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Education Association continue to engage in positive and productive negotiations.”

6:15 PM: The speeches continue. A woman who’s both an educator and the mom of a son with autism who is entering Chief Sealth IHS and attended other WS public schools said that current special education is working “so why take it away?”

6:31 PM: They’re ending by practicing strike chants just in case. And the emcee notes that if there’s a strike, the day begins with a picket captain meeting at 7 am. Some info’s coming in about family resources if needed, and we’ll have a story on that once back at HQ.

7:33 PM: Here’s the district’s latest update:

Sept. 1, 7:30 p.m. update: Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Education Association remain hard at work. Negotiations continue to move in a very positive direction. Thank you for your patience. We look forward to providing another update soon. Please stay tuned.

8:42 PM: Since we posted that, they’ve edited the second-to-last sentence of the 7:30 pm update to be “We look forward to providing another update at 9:30 p.m.”

<small>(Added: SPS video of superintendent’s Tuesday briefing)

3:01 PM: SPS superintendent Ben Shuldiner is just about to begin his briefing on the teacher contract situation. You can watch live here. We’ll be publishing toplines as it goes.

3:04 PM: The superintendent begins by saying talks overnight continued until 1:30 am and says they’re in talks right now and he is impressed by the progress and collaboration “in a very positive direction.” He says he feels optimistic and will provide updates every two hours. He says they’re still going through key issues but reiterates that he feels optimistic and “we’ll do everything we can to open up schools,” which he’s still hoping can happen tomorrow. His message to families: “We are making our decisions with you in mind” and is aware of family logistics so if they have to, they will provide “support” at campuses tomorrow, such as meals. “We are always hoping for the best …. but we have plans” if needed.

3:09 PM: First question, what time would he “call it” and say OK, we have to go to Plan B? The superintendent said he’s “thinking of it like Snow Days … we hope to have an answer way before midnight.” He hopes by by 10 pm.

3:11 PM: What progress is being made? Shuldiner won’t get into specifics but says the back and forth has “been moving at such a quick speed” which he interprets as wanting “to get this done …so we can open up schools.”

3:13 PM: He says they’ll release an FAQ shortly about backup plans and the “community partners” he mentioned yesterday are those that already have individual relationships with schools…. The union is reported to have made a special-education proposal, one report says, so how is that working? Shuldiner again says he’s not getting into specifics but “it does feel like we’re really making some progress.” He also was heartened by the SEA statement. early this morning also saying they were making progress. What other topics are the focus? He had said earlier that it was special education and salary, and reiterates the latter. … Asked again about what time they could wait till before having to make a call on school tomorrow, he said that could be as late as 5 am, “when the buses run.”

3:18 AM: “If a decision is made, you’ll hear it from the rooftops,” he says, promising they’d get info out every way possible. After this briefing, he says, they hope 5:30 pm would be their next update (then 7:30, 9:30, etc.). If school does not start, food would still be available at campuses 9 am-1 pm – breakfast and lunch in one “to-go bag.” (No paperwork required.) If you’re not sure about whether your school’s regular child-care would be opened, call the school now and ask he recommends. … Asked what else he has to say to parents, he thanks them for their patience and says they’re taking every moment they can to be sure it’s done right.

3:24 PM: How will the communications be delivered to “families with language barriers”? Shuldiner apologizes that they haven’t done the best on that but the communication staff is working on it … Chief of staff Bev Redmond says translation will be done in a variety of ways for the messages as they go out via district platforms, social media, robocalls, etc. … Asked about how the mediator has affected the negotiations, he says they’ve been “very helpful.” … Has the school board given direction on how these talks should proceed? He says the board has “empowered” him to “get a deal done … and keep the lights on.” … Have they provided any guidance “in the past few days?” He again declines to mention specifics.

3:32 PM: How is the district’s budget gap affecting the talks? “It’s the sword of Damocles that hangs over us all,” Shuldiner replied. Then he said he has to get back to the bargaining table, and ended the briefing.

BOTTOM LINE: They’re still talking and the district will provide updates every two hours. If no agreement, he’ll wait as long as possible before declaring “no school” – very late tonight or even early tomorrow.

P.S. We’ll publish all the updates too, and are also watching the union’s online channels for any word from them.