In a meeting book-ended by cheering, more than 1,000 Evergreen Public Schools teachers voted overwhelmingly to approve a contract that includes double-digit salary increases.
Teachers on Sunday ratified a two-year collective bargaining agreement by a vote of 1,455 to 4 — 99.5 percent approval (three cast blank ballots). Teachers will on average see raises of 11.5 percent, with salaries for new teachers starting at $51,619 and pay for the most experienced teachers with advanced degrees topping out at $98,279. The second year, that will increase to $53,474 to $100,618.
The tentative agreement came after a bargaining session that started at about 10:30 a.m. Saturday and lasted until 2:57 a.m. Sunday.
“It’s a life-changing amount of money,” Evergreen Education Association President Bill Beville said following the afternoon vote at Evergreen High School. The agreement, according to both the union and district, keeps Evergreen teachers the highest paid in Clark County.
Clark County’s largest district, which covers much of suburban east Vancouver and has about 26,000 students, will be back in session Monday. The vote ends a week-and-a-half of striking in the district.
“We are excited to be welcoming our students and staff back to school and appreciate the hard work both bargaining teams did in reaching a mutually beneficial agreement,” said Superintendent John Steach in a district statement sent by email.
Battle Ground Public Schools remains the last district in Clark County where teachers are on strike. Bargaining continued between the district and Battle Ground Education Association on Sunday. Collective bargaining around the state has been heated this year as districts and unions debate over teacher salaries in light of school funding legislation intended to fully fund basic education.
Evergreen’s teachers at their meeting took up a chant of “BGEA, BGEA,” and sent a video to their northern counterparts. BGEA President Linda Peterson said by text that she was still in bargaining as Evergreen teachers were meeting.
Though it took about 45 minutes to count the votes, the excitement from teachers leaving the general membership meeting was palpable. Teachers clapped and cheered as they left, high-fiving and celebrating in the in the high school parking lot.
Julie Smith and Emily Kinnaman, both humanities teachers at Pacific Middle School, hugged.
“I can afford a roof,” Smith said with a grin.
Both expressed gratitude for the union’s bargaining team. Kinnaman said they made the 80 miles she’s walked during this strike worth it.
“It was more than I expected,” she said. “They put in so much work. I can’t believe it.”
Parents were also celebrating at the high school. A small crowd held signs reading things like “Parents stand with teachers,” and “Teachers are worth it,” while waving cowbells and whooping as teachers arrived.
Jenn Thelen has two children at Illahee Elementary School. She and her children joined their teachers on the picket lines last week to show their support.
“This felt as much of a victory for us as much as for them,” she said.
Katie Arnell, who also has a child at Illahee, agreed.
“When teachers win, our kids win,” she said.
