News Summary
Evergreen Public Schools will close on Monday due to a strike by classified employees represented by the Public School Employees union, impacting thousands of students. No agreement was reached during weekend negotiations, and the union continues its picketing efforts. The district is providing meals at two high schools and expanding childcare services during the strike, which began coinciding with the new school year. Parents and students are urged to stay informed as negotiations continue in hopes of resuming normal school operations soon.
Vancouver, WA – Evergreen Public Schools will remain closed on Monday due to an ongoing strike by the classified employees represented by the Public School Employees (PSE) Large Group union. The strike has resulted in the cancellation of classes for the second consecutive Monday, impacting thousands of students in the district.
Despite negotiations over the weekend, no agreement was reached between the school district and the union. As a result, school buildings will be closed, although the Administrative Service Center will operate as usual from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Union members will continue their picketing efforts daily at the District Office from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The picketing location is situated at 13413 N.E. LeRoy Haagen Memorial Drive. The union has disputed claims from the district that they “walked away from bargaining,” asserting that it was the district that requested to end negotiations after just one counteroffer in response to five proposals made by the union.
Mindy Troffer-Cooper, President of Evergreen PSE, highlighted the union’s commitment to fair negotiations, emphasizing that their aim is to advocate for students, not against them. The bargaining teams from the district met last Friday and Saturday and are scheduled to reconvene on Monday morning in hopes of reaching a resolution that is fair and sustainable within the constraints of the current budget conditions.
To support students during the strike, the district will provide free meals at two high schools: Heritage High School will serve meals from 9 to 10:30 a.m., while Mountain View High School will serve meals from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Additionally, child care services have been expanded with Right at School offering Family Care Camps at nine elementary schools from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The Clark County Family YMCA will also provide camps for district students from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
While middle and high school athletic activities will continue, the district will not provide transportation services during the strike. Families have been advised that they will receive schedules and locational details directly from their respective schools.
This strike originated on August 22, coinciding with the planned return of students for the new school year, complicating issues of child care and meal provisions for many families. The Evergreen Public Schools Board of Directors voted unanimously on Friday to authorize legal action against the striking employees, declaring the strike “unlawful.” Additionally, the union recently voted to reject the district’s “final offer,” which has contributed to the ongoing conflict.
As the situation continues to develop, parents and students are encouraged to stay informed regarding further updates and possible developments in negotiations. The hope remains that an agreement can be reached promptly to resume normal school operations and address the concerns of all parties involved.
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Additional Resources
- KPTV: Evergreen Public Schools No Class Announcement
- KGW: Evergreen Public Schools Classes Canceled
- Washington State Standard: Strike Delays Start of Classes
- Seattle Times: Evergreen Public Schools Strike Continues
- KOIN: Class Canceled for Evergreen Public Schools
- Wikipedia: Teacher Strike
- Google Search: Evergreen Public Schools Strike
- Google Scholar: Evergreen Public Schools
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Teacher Union Strike
- Google News: Evergreen Public Schools
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