Teachers, District Continue Contract Talks as First Day of School Approaches

Contract negotiations between the teachers’ union and the school district remain unresolved just days before the new school year begins.

Teachers had previously agreed to temporary concessions to help the district build its reserve fund, according to a memorandum of understanding. Those concessions were intended to be short-term, but the district is now seeking to make most of them permanent, with the exception of furlough days.

Educators have also raised concerns about class sizes, citing elementary classrooms with up to 36 students and no paraeducator support, as well as middle and high school classes with as many as 50 students.

Talks, originally scheduled to conclude last Thursday, have extended into emergency bargaining sessions over the weekend. Union leaders hope to reach an agreement before teachers gather on Monday, August 25, to set up classrooms and attend professional development.

If no contract is in place, teachers must decide whether to continue working while negotiations continue or consider taking a strike vote by September 2. Students are scheduled to return to class on September 3.