Renton coaches plan to strike before fall sports begin

If an agreement is not made over the weekend, Renton coaches will strike starting on Monday.

By Benjamin Ray • August 15, 2025 10:20 am
Senior Patrick Turner keeps his eyes downfield with the ball in his hands. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Senior Patrick Turner keeps his eyes downfield with the ball in his hands. Ben Ray / The Reporter

After just over a month from their first offer from the Renton School District, the coaches of the Renton School District organized with the American Federation of Teachers and have decided to strike on Monday, Aug 18, as a result of contract negotiations.

As previously reported by the Renton Reporter, coaches in Renton are paid less than other neighboring districts. The lack of pay results in a turnover rate of 45% from year to year.

The strike is a result of months of bargaining with the Renton School District, but ultimately not coming to an agreement. Fall sports begin with the first day of football practice on Aug. 20, and the rest of fall sports take off five days later on Aug. 25.

Pressure is now on the Renton School District in the coming days in terms of how many practices students will in fact miss due to coaches being on strike. There are around 145 coaches in the Renton School District.

“All we want from the RSD is a fair deal for our first contract and to have the coaches make more than minimum wage based on the hours we are required to work. If no agreement is reached the strike will begin the morning of Monday, August 18,” Hazen High School Head Track Coach Buddy Ryan said in a press release.

The release also called for better working conditions for all Renton coaches.

“(Renton coaches) deserve fair wages and fair working conditions; they call on the district to bargain a fair wage that allows the coaches equity and better working conditions and makes recruiting and retention possible. RSD’s students, parents, community, and coaches deserve better than constant turnover and uncompensated work. We call on the district to fairly bargain this contract with an offer that respects coaches, students, and the community,” the press release said.

The Renton School District sent the following in a statement to the Renton Reporter: “We have for several months been engaged in bargaining with our union partners American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which represents our athletic coaches. We continue the bargaining process today and remain committed to bargaining with AFT throughout the weekend to reach an agreement.”