The ongoing strike by Evergreen Public Schools classified staff is continuing after the district's "final contract offer" was turned down. This stops negotiations that began in March and delays the start of the school year. The district plans to provide free breakfast and lunch starting on Tuesday, as reported by KGW.
Meals will be available at Heritage High School, Mountain View High School, and Marrion Elementary School at designated pick-up times. "We remain hopeful that we will be able to reach an agreement with the union and get students back in the classroom," Dr. Moloney said in a message to families and staff, as per KATU. The strike continues as district officials and classified staff work on issues related to pay and benefits.
The Evergreen school district and its union are still negotiating staff pay and benefits for paraeducators, bus drivers, and custodians. The union said the district's final offer "falls short of meeting their needs and the needs of Evergreen students," as mentioned by KGW. Union chapter president Mindy Troffer-Cooper told OPB, "We have tried to have open communications regarding needs and wants of our members, only to be told you’re uninterested or just given an out-and-out ‘no.’ This is not bargaining, this is bullying." Negotiations resumed over the weekend, but no agreement was reached.
