PORTLAND, Ore. — Faced with a potential teachers' strike that could close the largest school district in the state, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said she expects both sides to do everything possible in the next 48 hours to "figure it out."
If Portland Public Schools and the Portland Association of Teachers don't reach a deal by Wednesday, 81 schools in the Portland area could close, taking about 45,000 students out of the classroom just over two months into the school year.
Kotek, speaking after a meeting of her task force to improve Portland's "Center City" core, said she respects the collective bargaining process but a strike would be detrimental.
She seemed frustrated that a teachers' strike appears to be imminent.
“My message right now to Portland Public Schools and the Portland Association of Teachers: you need to stay at the table and you need to figure this out; going out on strike is not in the best interest of students or families," Kotek said. "I hope you’re spending every moment between now and your self-imposed deadline to figure this out."
About 4,000 teachers affiliated with the Portland Association of Teachers are prepared to strike, according to PAT.
The union and district have been in talks since the teachers' last contract expired in June. A strike would be the first in the district’s history.
Portland Public Schools previously said meeting the teachers' demands on pay and smaller class sizes would cost the district $200 million, something Kotek acknowledged.
"I think it would be irresponsible for Portland Public Schools to commit to an agreement that would create a gigantic cliff at the end of the biennium," she said. "I do expect them to put more money on the table and prioritize classroom resources first over administration, but I don’t believe there are 200 million dollars sitting there."
Kotek said her office is having behind-the-scenes conversations with both sides.
When asked about state intervention on funding, she said that’s a topic for a future legislative session.
"I’m asking everyone to stretch with the resources that they have to meet the goals we all share," she said. "When it comes to education funding, this is really a conversation for 2025."