School teachers are on strike today and are picketing in front of South Whidbey High School.

The move is in response to the latest collective bargaining agreement offered by the South Whidbey School District. Teachers overwhelmingly rejected the offer yesterday, saying it’s simply not enough.

“We decided that we needed to stand up because we feel disrespected and undervalued,” said Strike Captain Rachel Kizer. “Teachers have been bearing the burden of the finances in the district for a long time, and the fund balance and the reserves in the district have continued to grow.”

The district has been bargaining with South Whidbey Education Association teachers since June. The latest offer was for a 1.5 percent salary increase, in addition to a 3 percent cost of living adjustment from the state, which was rejected at an association meeting Wednesday night. Educators voted 97.4 percent in favor of a strike.

Kizer said teachers are willing to continue the strike as long as needed.

Supporting the association and picketing alongside teachers on Maxwelton Road are dozens of parents and community members. They are expected to walk through downtown Langley at 1 p.m. today.

For more details on the strike, see Saturday’s edition of The Record.