PORTLAND, Oregon — A potential teacher strike in Portland Public Schools could be days away, and parents of disabled students are concerned a strike could greatly affect their children’s education.
"There's so much unknown," Julie Helzer, a parent of two Portland Public Schools high schoolers said.
Helzer’s daughter attends Franklin High School. Her son is a freshman at Benson High.
"He has always had a lot of trouble,” Helzer said. “He has a speech disorder."
The disorder leaves him needing assistance from teachers aids and case managers, Helzer said. He also receives help with assignments. As an elective, he is in an academic support class, and takes speech lessons.
He’s done well in school this year, Helzer said, progressing smoothly. The last few years in middle school were challenging, as Helzer’s son spent much of his class time learning remotely.
"And so, he was really looking forward to high school and this new opportunity," Helzer said.
Though with a teacher strike looming, Helzer is worried her son’s education could be hindered.
If Portland Public Schools and the teacher's union don’t agree to a new contract by Wednesday, teachers will strike. Both sides have said they want to avoid a strike, but when pressed on what needs to be accomplished, they’ve pointed the finger at the other side.
"We need our PAT partners to compromise," PPS Chief of Research Renard Adams said.
"The district is still not bringing any serious proposals around the issues that matter most to our students, families and educators," Angela Bonilla, president of the teacher's union said.
All the while, parents and students are stuck in the middle. With mounting concerns about how long a strike would last.
"I'm worried that it's going to drag on," Helzer said.
Both Portland Public Schools and the teacher's union said they don’t know how long a strike could last. They plan to continue mediation Monday and Tuesday.
