Educators working in the voted Wednesday evening to authorize a strike after the Englewood-based K-12 system refused to reinstate their union’s contract.
The has not yet said when teachers and other staff might walk out of schools. The union is made up of teachers, mental health providers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers and other school employees.
The Sheridan Educators Association has had a collective bargaining agreement in place for more than 50 years, but district officials have refused to reinstate it or to recognize classified employees in their union, according to a news release from the union.
Tensions between the union and district officials have been flaring for months. The Sheridan Educators Association said in December that district officials told employees they no longer have a union and refused to transmit teacher dues to the association, according to a news release.
“The district leadership has pushed educators to the very brink,” Kate Biester, union president and a Sheridan High School teacher, said in a statement. “At every turn, they have chosen to shut down negotiations and escalate their attempts to keep us silent. All we want is to teach and support our students, so we urge the district to return to the table to negotiate a contract for all Sheridan educators.”
Sheridan, in a statement Thursday, said the district is “preparing for potential disruptions” because of the looming strike.
“The Sheridan School District is aware of the recent vote on the potential teacher strike,” the district said in its statement. “While we respect educators’ right to express their perspectives, it is disappointing that the situation has reached this point after the district made multiple attempts to engage collaboratively with the Sheridan Education Association to address concerns and work toward solutions.”
The strike vote was 98% in favor of walking out, according to the news release.
“By refusing to even come to the bargaining table, Sheridan district leaders are putting the community last,” said Kevin Vick, president of the , in a statement. “Everyone deserves a good neighborhood school, with educators who have what they need to help kids learn and thrive.”
Sheridan has 997 students as of the 2025-26 academic year, according to state data.
