News Summary
Evergreen Public Schools has announced a delay in the start of the school year to September 2, due to ongoing negotiations with support staff represented by SEIU Local 1948. A strike vote has been approved, prompting the district to provide more negotiation time. The union is demanding better pay and working conditions. The delay raises concerns about the district’s financial health and the impact on educational staff as both sides work towards a resolution to avoid a strike.
Evergreen, Washington – Evergreen Public Schools announced a delay in the start of the 2025-26 school year to September 2, 2025, amid ongoing negotiations with the Evergreen Chapter of Public School Employees of Washington SEIU Local 1948 (PSE). The decision comes as the union, consisting of support staff including paraeducators, bus drivers, security officers, and maintenance workers, voted to strike starting on the originally scheduled first day of school, August 26.
The delay in the school year is intended to provide the district with additional time to negotiate with the union. The existing contract between the support staff and the district is set to expire on August 30, leaving the staff without a contract for six months prior to the strike vote. The union emphasized that the delay is a direct consequence of the impending strike, and not merely a calendar adjustment, and that they plan to rally and march until an agreement is reached.
In a show of solidarity, the Evergreen Education Association, which represents teachers, has announced their intention to support the picket line established by the union. This unified front enhances the collective voice demanding better working conditions and wages for the support staff.
Dr. Christine Moloney, the Superintendent of Evergreen Public Schools, stated that the delay aims to lessen uncertainty for students, families, and staff while negotiations continue. The district acknowledges the significant budget challenges it faces, which play a vital role in their financial decisions regarding contracts and salaries for staff members.
Workers represented by the union have expressed their dissatisfaction with their current compensation. The union recently reported that over 90% of their members voted in favor of striking, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Many union members have noted that their earnings are comparable to or even less than those in retail jobs, despite their crucial roles in the educational system.
In response, the school district presented a final offer last week, which included options for a two- or three-year contract featuring salary increases for the workers. The ongoing negotiations are focused on achieving competitive wages that reflect the rising cost of living, a primary demand of the union members. The union has called for fair pay guarantees and better working conditions prior to the strike vote.
The implications of this delay extend beyond just scheduling; it raises questions about the financial sustainability of the district and the welfare of the employees who play essential roles in the educational experience. The district aims to maintain its overall health while addressing the valid concerns raised by support staff through their representative union.
As the situation develops, the district and union are expected to negotiate vigorously over the next few weeks, with both sides hoping to prevent the strike and ensure that students return to a stable learning environment come September.
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Additional Resources
- KOIN: Evergreen Schools Prepping for Union’s First-Ever Strike
- OregonLive: Signs a Teacher Strike Could Land in No School November
- KPTV: Evergreen Public Schools Union Workers Schedule Strike Vote
- Google Search: Evergreen Public Schools
- Axios: PPS Teachers Strike, Public School Students Affected
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Labor Strike
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