Seattle Public Schools delays in-person instruction until late March Hundreds of teachers are no longer deemed 'essential' as the district and teacher's union works to bargain an agreement. Author: KING 5 Staff Updated: 6:21 PM PST March 9, 2021 SEATTLE — Seattle Public Schools is rescinding its order from February that designated hundreds of educators as "essential" as it works with the teacher's union to bring more students back to the classroom. The district said in a joint statement with the Seattle Education Association that they are working on a bargaining agreement to get students enrolled in Special Education Intensive Service Pathways and preschool back into the classroom by March 29.