After more than three weeks out of the classroom, and a tumultuous back-and-forth between district and union bargaining teams, more than 40,000 Portland students will return to school on Monday.
Portland Public Schools and the Portland Association of Teachers have reached a tentative deal, essentially ending a teachers strike that’s kept schools closed since Nov. 1.
As per the letter sent to families by PPS on Sunday afternoon, union members are required to ratify the terms, and the school board must also give approval to the complete contract at their Tuesday meeting. Despite this, students are set to return on Monday with a two-hour delay.
In their letter, Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero and the PPS school board expressed relief at having students back in school after a three-week absence. They acknowledged the challenges faced by students, families, and the community during this time and thanked them for their patience and perseverance. The district also extended deep appreciation to educators, recognizing them as the backbone of the district who greatly enrich the lives of students. After more than three
The Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) announced the end of the strike, citing a “historic tentative agreement” with significant victories for student mental health support, class size, protected planning time, building health and safety protections, and cost-of-living increases.
While an agreement was reportedly very close last week, the impasse centered around the structure and role of proposed committees addressing overcrowded classes. Although specific details were not immediately disclosed on Sunday, statements from both the district and union leaders indicate a compromise has been reached.