UPDATE–Monday, August 31, 2009, 4:53 pm – School is delayed until further notice. More info on KSD’s website here.

UPDATE–Monday, August 31, 2009, 5:27 am – Today was supposed to be the first day of school for students in the Kent School District, but instead, anxious parents and students are wondering how long the strike will continue.

According to the Kent Education Association’s blog, an agreement had not yet been reached between teachers and the Kent School District, delaying the need for a vote on Sunday, August 30 as planned.  Instead the teachers scheduled a candlelight vigil for Sunday evening in downtown Kent.

Despite reports and rumors that this strike is all  about pay raises, there are greater issues at stake here, including classroom sizes and administrative meetings, both of which reduce the amount of time students and teachers spend together. In a story on the Kent Reporter website, the Kent School District won’t put a cap, or limit, on the number of students per classroom.

Though it is not clear how the two sides will come to an agreement on these and other issues, one thing is clear…picketing resumes on Monday while parents and students wait anxiously for news.

Find more information about the strike here:

Associated Content
Kent School District
Kent Education Association (KEA)
KEA Blog
Kent Reporter

To read a copy of the latest response from the KSD to the KEA about outstanding issues, click here.