VANCOUVER, Wash. — Evergreen Public Schools announced on Labor Day that schools would be closed again on Tuesday as educators continue their strike. The school district provided the update to families Monday afternoon after negotiations continued over the weekend.
The Camas School District also remained on strike Tuesday, the Camas Education Association confirmed in a news release, with teachers heading out for a fifth day on the picket lines outside district school buildings.
Teachers in the Evergreen district went on strike on Aug. 30, which would have been the first day of school. Evergreen Education Association teachers are asking for more support for students with special needs, more planning time for educators and increased pay.
Camas School District teachers went on strike two days earlier on Aug. 28, the day classes were supposed to begin in that district. Teachers have asked for equitable funding for things like music, P.E. and libraries, smaller class sizes, more planning time for lessons and increased pay.
The Camas teachers union said the two sides met and bargained for most of the day on Monday and continued well into the evening, but were unable to reach an agreement. Bargaining resumed Tuesday morning, the union said.
Battle Ground schools have averted a strike for the time being. Last month, the Battle Ground Education Association voted not to strike and classes began as scheduled on Aug. 30. The bargaining teams continue to work on reaching an agreement. The latest proposal would, among other things, increase pay and reduce class size.
The school districts have said the school days missed because of strikes will need to be made up during or at the end of the school year to maintain the state-mandated minimum of 180 days of instruction.
This is a developing story and may be updated with more details as they emerge.
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