Snoqualmie Valley teachers approve contract deal
Sep 8, 2013, 9:41 PM | Updated: Sep 9, 2013, 5:59 am
Thousands of parents were eagerly checking email Sunday to find out if their kids would be on the school bus or staying on the couch Monday morning. Fortunately for them, a teacher strike has been averted. (Photo courtesy Snoqualmie Valley School District)
(Photo courtesy Snoqualmie Valley School District)
It was down to the wire for parents, teachers and students in the Snoqualmie Valley.
The Snoqualmie Valley Education Association agreed last Tuesday to strike if there was no settlement in place by Sunday afternoon.
It wasn’t until a meeting that started at 7 p.m. Sunday that a deal was ratified. Parents throughout the district were eagerly awaiting news, wondering if they would be putting their children on the bus Monday morning.
Fortunately, teachers in Snoqualmie approved a two-year contract Sunday evening, and school is in session on Monday.
Teacher Jack Webber says it was a narrow victory. At Sunday’s meeting, 59 percent voted to ratify the agreement. Of the 295 teachers present, 120 wanted to strike.
The union had expressed concern over increasing class size and the pay increase included in earlier proposals from the district. The contract agreement will include a six percent raise. No details about the language on class size have yet been released.
“We are very pleased to have reached agreement with the association today (Sunday,)” said District Superintendent Joel Aune. “It feels good to know that our teachers and students will be in school on Monday, looking ahead to a great school year in Snoqualmie Valley.”
Geographically, Snoqualmie Valley is one of the largest school districts in the state. It encompasses North Bend, Snoqualmie and several other cities. The district has ten schools serving more than 6,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
KIRO Radio’s Kim Shepard contributed to this report.
