Sheridan educators began a strike on April 2, leaving their classrooms to picket after months of delays from the Sheridan Superintendent and School Board. Members of the Sheridan Educators Association voted by 98% to call for the strike, seeking the reinstatement of their contract, district recognition of Education Support Professionals (ESPs), and changes to board policies affecting unions.
The strike highlights ongoing tensions between educators and district leadership. Teachers say these issues affect both working conditions for staff and learning environments for students.
Picket lines formed early in the morning at every school in the district, with support from parents, students, and members from neighboring education associations. Signs called for safer schools and voiced concerns about leadership. Students joined teachers on the picket line; Josiah Hall, a senior at Sheridan High School, said: “I’m here to support the teachers at Sheridan High School because I feel like right now they’re alone, and that they’re not supported by the district. I think that’s when students should step in and support the teachers here…make sure that we understand them.” Another student, Michael Edwards, said: “I’m doing this to show respect to my teachers, to help them, and I’m hoping this goes better.”
Younger students also expressed their reasons for joining. Evelyn from Alice Terry Elementary said: “I’m here to support our teachers and us as students because the district is not doing like their job or what they’re supposed to be doing.” Lynette added: “We wanted to come to get the contract and save our teachers because we couldn’t go to school for 3 days because of the superintendent. So now we’re waiting until next week to go back to school.” Parent Dulce Aguilar stated: “I’m here because I want a future for my son.”
After several hours on individual school picket lines, participants gathered in front of the Sheridan District Administration building where community members showed further support by honking car horns as they passed by. Joe St. Cyr, a first-year teacher participating in his first strike experience said: “The only reason I was able to survive this long as a brand new teacher is because of them [colleagues], not because of any administration from [the] principal on up…No teacher expects to come in their first year and have to fight for this.”
Other staff spoke about issues including teacher retention efforts within Sheridan schools as well as calls for classified employees’ voices at negotiation tables. Kylene from Alice Terry Elementary stated: “I am doing this because I am trying to stick up for all my classified people…because we’ve never really had a voice in this district.” Sonia added she wants “classified get recognized and be [a] part of the union.” The day ended with continued picketing throughout local neighborhoods.
While no new negotiations were scheduled following day one of striking activities, organizers indicated plans would continue until demands are addressed.
