SEATTLE -- The superintendent of Seattle Public Schools has made a bold move amid contract negotiations with the Seattle Education Association.

Maria Goodloe-Johnson announced she has mailed termination letters to 3,300 teachers with a continuing contract on Friday after deciding not to bargain in good faith over pay and working days.

But Goodloe-Johnson said she has also offered the teachers new contracts for fewer work days and less pay.

In the termination letter, the superintendent said the school district could not convince the state to increase education funding. As a result of the $9 billion deficit, the state has authorized funding for just one Learning Improvement Days for the next school year instead of two, she said.

"Because LID days are part of the state salary schedule, the district must reduce your contract from 182 days (180 basic contract days plus two LID days) to 181 days (180 basic contract days plus one LID day), with a resulting reduction of your compensation," Goodloe-Johnson wrote. That, she said, is probable cause to "nonrenew your contract."

The school district and the Seattle Education Association have been negotiating a new agreement since April 20, and Goodloe-Johnson's announcement on Friday came as a surprise to many teachers, especially as it came at the end of Teacher Appreciation Week.

"That's going to be a big shock to everybody that reads, receives that letter," said West Seattle High School teacher Jonathan Knapp, who said nine people have already been laid off at his school.

On Friday Olga Addae, president of Seattle Education Association, said the union plans to respond by filing a suit against the district.

"that (the letter) in itself is an unfair labor practice," she said.

In a statement, Adda called Goodloe-Johnson's decision "bizarre" and "both illegal and unnecessary." Addae claimed the superintendent is in violation of the state labor law.

"She can't do it, and even if she could, what she's doing is a slap in the face to every teacher in Seattle," Addae said. "This is a dispute over one day. Maybe this kind of disrespectful bully tactic worked back in South Carolina, but Seattle's students and teachers deserve better from our superintendent."

The superintendent's letter stated SEA has 10 days after receiving the letter to file a written appeal.