As the Snoqualmie Valley School District grapples with a budget shortfall, Valley teachers are threatening to strike in September if they aren’t able to negotiate a contract with the school district that meets their demands for pay increases.

Local union president Art Galloway said teachers are the lowest-paid in East King County. He’s concerned educators will leave to work in higher-paying districts.

Galloway said teachers want average pay and are working an above-average workload. Carolyn Malcolm, a spokeswoman for the district, said teacher efforts are valued, but inadequate funding from the state and a slowdown in enrollment are creating a budget crunch.