Grievances

TEA provides help to members with grievances, disciplinary actions against teachers, and "needs improvement" issues. If you are in need of help with any of these areas, please contact your building representative, or a member from our Grievance Team.

Please note that sensitive issues should never be explained using district email accounts, as district email is available to the public under the Public Records Act of Washington. If you have a concern, contact your TEA representatives outside of contract hours by telephone, face-to-face, or using a private email account (both on the sending and receiving end!).

A grievance is a complaint by an employee that an action by administration is inconsistent with the agreed understanding that is found in our Negotiated Agreement.

The person filing the grievance has 30 working days to file the grievance from the time of the event.

Grievances are written by:

A disciplinary action is an action taken against a teacher by the District or through the State Board which could involve a third party for violations of building policy, district policy, state policy, or criminal activity. Disciplinary action can also occur for lapse in certification.

Disciplinary action can lead to corrections such as written reprimands, suspensions without pay, and dismissal.

The term "Needs Improvement" is an evaluation process in which a teacher's teaching performance has been determined not to meet district and state standards. Although this is not a disciplinary action or grievance, TEA members have the right to Association assistance to fulfill their responsibility to meet teaching standards.