Portland’s Largest School District Reaches Tentative Agreement, Students Set to Return After Lengthy Strike

After more than three weeks of halted classes affecting approximately 45,000 students, Portland Public Schools announced a tentative agreement with its teachers’ union, signaling a hopeful return to normalcy. The tentative deal, prompted by a strike initiated on November 1, revolves around crucial issues including pay, class sizes, and planning time, reflecting a compromise between the district and the Portland Teachers Association.

Pending final approval by both the teachers and the school board, classes are expected to resume soon, easing the strain on families and students who have been grappling with the prolonged absence from school. Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero expressed relief at the prospect of students returning, acknowledging the hardships faced by everyone due to the extended disruption in learning and classroom engagement.

The agreement highlights significant gains for educators and students alike, addressing concerns about classroom sizes, teacher salaries, health, safety, and crucial mental health support for students navigating the lingering effects of the pandemic. Proposed measures involve adjustments to the academic calendar, including a reduction in the winter break and additional school days in the new year to compensate for lost instructional time.

Key facets of the agreement encompass a cumulative 13.8% cost-of-living increase for educators over three years, alongside considerable yearly step increases for approximately half of all educators. Furthermore, plans include the augmentation of classroom time for elementary and middle-grade students starting in the upcoming academic year, accompanied by an extension of teacher planning time by 90 minutes per week for these levels.

However, the district’s commitments do raise concerns about budget constraints. Despite Oregon’s approval of a record-breaking $10.2 billion K-12 budget for the next two years, the district highlighted financial challenges and the necessity for potential budget cuts to accommodate the concessions made to the teachers’ union. As the vote looms and with hopes for resolution on the horizon, the future of Portland’s educational landscape hinges not only on this agreement but also on sustained support from state lawmakers for improved school funding.

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