After weeks of negotiations and a nearly month-long strike, schools in Portland, Oregon, have finally reached a tentative deal with the teachers union. The agreement comes as a relief to students, parents, and educators who have been grappling with the disruptions caused by the strike. Reports say that the agreement must still be voted on by teachers. The deal must also be approved by the school board.
Teachers have been on the picket line since Nov. 1 over issues of pay, class sizes and planning time. The strike saw teachers from the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) demanding better pay, improved working conditions, and increased support for students. The union argued that these issues were crucial for ensuring quality education and attracting and retaining qualified teachers.
The union agreed that classes could resume while those votes go forward. Portland Public Schools students missed 11 days of school before the district began its weeklong Thanksgiving break. Oregon lawmakers approved in June a record $10.2 billion K-12 budget for the next two years, but school district representatives said that wasn’t enough.
The Portland Association of Teachers, which represents more than 4,000 educators. The tentative deal, pending approval from both the union and the school district. While details of the agreement is still being reported, it includes provisions for salary increases, reduced class sizes, additional resources for special education students, and improved professional development opportunities.
The agreement would add classroom time for elementary and middle grades starting in 2024. Also, there will be increase for teacher planning time by 90 minutes each week for elementary and middle-aged classrooms. The deal would also provide educators with a 13.8% cumulative cost-of-living increase. This would happen over the next three years. The information shows that about half of all educators would earn an extra 10.6% from yearly step increases.
The strike has had a significant impact on the educational landscape in Portland, with school closures and disruptions to students’ learning experiences. The tentative agreement signals a step towards normalcy and stability for the school community.
