The leaders of the Federal Way School District, the 10th largest in the state with 21,000 students, have announced they will not follow Governor Inslee’s recent order to re-open public schools.

Federal Way superintendent Tammy Campbell sent a letter to families on March 18th saying:

“If a parent chooses to select an in-person option, scholars in grades 6-12 will still receive instruction for their classes in a remote setting while we will offer in-person academic supports after their current Zoom class schedule.”

In other words, 6 – 12th grade students will still be required to receive instruction remotely. 

The political force behind the ongoing restriction is Shannon McCann, president of the Federal Way teachers union.  These two women have decided to defy Governor Inslee. On March 15, 2021, the Governor issued another Emergency Order, which says:

“By April 19, 2021, all remaining K-12 students must be provided with an opportunity to engage in a hybrid model of instruction.

“By April 19, 2021, all school districts must offer at least 30% of average weekly instructional hours as on-campus, in-person instruction for all K-12 students who wish to attend in-person. 

“Under no circumstances may a student be offered less than 2 days (which may be partial days) of on-campus, in-person instruction per week...”

Not surprisingly, Federal Way families are steaming mad. They have been waiting a whole year for their schools to re-open, while nearby private schools have been fully open since last fall.

Public school children are losing out on the education they have been promised.  Students are losing hope they will return to school this spring.  Governor Inslee issued his order because the science shows school children are at low risk of transmitting COVID and that they are suffering severe mental and emotional harm from being separated from their schools and friends.

Violating the governor’s order carries a penalty of up to $5,000 plus possible imprisonment.

Despite being closed for a year, Federal Way public schools are still receiving $13,800 per student in state funding.  If part or all of this funding went directly to parents, they could provide for the education of their children without having to struggle against hard-line administrators.  Local school officials wouldn’t have the power to block a children’s access to learning.  Instead, parents would quietly and responsibly access the services their children need to get a great education, without getting entangled in the anger, pain and conflict that comes with fighting union politics.