Groups of parents on opposing sides of the Kent Education Association teachers’ strike stood on opposite corners of the intersection at S.E. 272nd Street or Kent Kangley and 172nd Ave. S.E. in Covington today waving signs starting at about 10:30 a.m.
About a dozen parents and youths on the south-side of the block waved signs demanding the teachers return to the classroom and about the same number of parents, students and young children were on the north side holding signs in support of the teachers’ strike.
Joni Bentley organized the pro-district parents.
“I think it is time for the teachers to obey the law and go back to the classroom,” Bentley said. “People want smaller class sizes, but the economy is down. This is not the right time to be demanding from the district.”
On the other side of the street the group was organized by Charles Allen, who said he is the founder of the Kent Parents Coalition.
“I’m sorry it has gone as far as this,” Allen said. “When adults start behaving like children the kids are stuck in the middle. We want teachers to go back when they can provide a quality education. Crowd control (large class sizes) is not a good education model.”
Allen said he has submitted a petition to the Kent School Board asking for a recall measure for board members Jim Berrios and Chris Davies.
“They cancelled a public meeting in the middle of this crises,” Allen said. “When I wrote an e-mail to Mr. Berrios he said there was not enough content to hold a meeting. A teachers’ strike is not enough content? How can you justify that?
On the other side of the street some parents said they were concerned about disagreeing with the strike because of retaliation from teachers.
“I’m afraid the teachers will treat my kids differently,” Robert Gurr said. “I’m definitely concerned. But I had to stand by my ideals so I’m out here and they (his children) are here on their own accord.”
Ann Baer, whose daughter graduated from the Kent School District, said she came out to represent the parents, “who are afraid of retaliation by teachers against their kids. A lot of parents feel their kids will be retaliated against (if they speak out).
No one on the pro-district side stated they had heard any teachers state there would be retaliation.
Shamaprasad has two children in the district and he joined the group demanding teachers return to the classroom.
“I went to a school (in India) where classes had 100 students,” Shamaprasad said. “I have an engineering degree. It is not just class size. My teachers had to walk to school because they couldn’t afford a bicycle. They were poor, but they taught me well. I still remember their names from when I was in first grade. Teaching is the last profession you take (in India) unless you are dedicated.”
Jennifer Cadena and her 11-year-old daughter waved signs on the pro-teacher side.
“We came to show support of our teachers,” Cadena said. “I want them to go back when they have a fair contract.”
King County Superior Court Judge Andrea Darvas ruled Thursday teachers must return to classrooms in time for school to begin Monday or begin paying a $200 per day fine for contempt, retroactive to Sept. 8, the day teachers were supposed to return under her Sept. 3 injunction.
The judge also ruled the Kent Education Association will be fined an additional $1,500 per day for each day teachers do not return to work.
The Kent School District announced classes will begin Tuesday, Sept. 15.
