The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
56°F
Current Conditions
Broken clouds
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Spokane schools, teachers union to continue contract negotiations; union leader resigns

Katy Henry, president of the the Spokane Education Association, announced her resignation this week. She also said contract negotiations between Spokane Public Schools and its teachers will carry on well into the new school year. (COURTESY OF KATY HENRY)
By Jim Allen jima@spokesman.com
Katy Henry, president of the the Spokane Education Association, announced her resignation this week. She also said contract negotiations between Spokane Public Schools and its teachers will carry on well into the new school year. (COURTESY OF KATY HENRY)

Contract negotiations between Spokane Public Schools and its teachers will carry on well into the new school year.

During a membership meeting Tuesday night, the Spokane Education Association decided to hold its next meeting on Oct. 8, union President Katy Henry said Wednesday.

Henry offered more news – namely her resignation, effective on Saturday. Henry, who has led the Spokane Education Association since the summer of 2017, will be succeeded by vice president Jeremy Shay.

“It will be a seamless transition,” Henry said. “There’s nothing that will change much, and (Shay is) aware of all the issues because he’s sat with me in all the meetings.”

Henry has taken a position in Spokane with the Washington Education Association, the state teachers’ union.

Shay was unavailable for comment Wednesday. According to SEA bylaws, he will finish the four-year term Henry won in 2017.

The SEA and the district have been negotiating a new three-year contract for much of the summer.

Unlike last year, when teachers won an average 13.2% wage hike, this year’s talks have focused on working conditions, Henry said.