Educators in Sheridan voted overwhelmingly Wednesday night to authorize a strike after months of working without a contract and failed negotiations with the district, union leaders said. The strike vote was 98% in favor.
The vote by members of the Sheridan Educators Association, which represents teachers and other school staff, comes after the district refused to reinstate a 50-year-old collective bargaining agreement, according to the union. The union is also fighting to officially recognize classified employees such as food service workers and janitors within the union.
Educators have accused district leadership of retaliating against those who speak out.
"The district leadership has pushed educators to the very brink," said Sheridan High School teacher and union president Kate Biester. "At every turn they have chosen to shut down negotiations and escalate their attempts to keep us silent … We will not be intimidated.”
Kylene Vigil, office manager at Alice Terry Elementary who has worked in the district for 16 years, said the vote to strike is about dignity and respect.
"This is not the situation any of us hoped for, but the district left us without a choice.”
Sheridan School District officials said they are disappointed in the vote and said that they have made multiple attempts to engage collaboratively with the union. They said they remain available for dialog to avoid a walkout but are also preparing for potential school disruptions.
"We remain hopeful that both the district and SEA can return to productive conversations and focus on what matters most, supporting the success and well-being of our students," the district said in a statement.
The Sheridan district has 814 students and about 186 employees.
