LANGLEY — South Whidbey School District teachers voted unanimously to ratify a two-year contract Monday evening, just in time to start classes Tuesday morning.
Jessica Upton, of the Washington Education Association, said 86 of the district’s 90 teachers showed up to approve the district offer.
“We’re excited that both parties were able to come to an agreement that didn’t affect the community or the kids,” she said.
South Whidbey teachers and supporters picketed last week in response to a previous contract the district offered, which included a 1.5 percent salary bump and a 3 percent cost of living raise. It was rejected and 97.4 percent of teachers voted to strike during a non-student work day last Thursday.
Superintendent Jo Moccia said negotiations continued throughout the holiday weekend.
On Monday, the district returned to the bargaining table to offer teachers a 5 percent salary increase on top of a 3 percent cost of living increase the state is funding for the 2015-16 school year.
Teachers are to receive another 5 percent pay bump and a 1.8 percent cost-of-living increase for the 2016-17 school year.
Educators will also be given more training time for technology but the district gets to control how they use that time.
The school board is expected to approve the new contract during its Sept. 23 meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. at South Whidbey Elementary School, 5380 Maxwelton Road in Langley. It will be posted on the district’s website after that meeting.
“We’re really pleased we can get back to our joint mission of educating our kids,” Moccia said. “I’m really glad our teachers and our students are back in school.”
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports
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