The Salem-Keizer School Board meets Tuesday, April 9, to ratify a contract with the district teacher union, a vote which will close out a contentious bargaining process that almost led to the first teacher strike in district history.
After a March 25 mediation session that began and ended early in the morning, both the teachers unions and the Salem-Keizer School District (SKPS) have finally come to a tentative agreement.
Teachers in the Salem-Keizer School District could go on strike after spring break if they don’t reach an agreement with district leaders. But negotiations are continuing, with both sides saying they hope to avoid that outcome.
At the “Pack the Board Room” event by the Salem-Keizer Education Association (SKEA), members rallied outside of the board room on Commercial Street to show the Salem-Keizer Public Schools (SKPS) that they would not be silent. After rallying, as many members as possible went inside the room for a public-described “heavy” SKPS school board meeting.
On Tuesday, Sept. 5, McNary High School staff greeted the class of 2027 for their first day while standing in solidarity with the Salem Keizer Education Association.
The Salem-Keizer Education Association (SKEA), which represents the contracted educators in SKPS schools, sent a letter to the district on March 3 expressing concern for the safety of its members and the lack of preparation and training for dealing with violent students.
The Keizertimes sat and spoke with the President and Vice President of the Salem Keizer Education Association about a variety of issues.