EVERETT — The first day of school finally is set in a preliminary agreement between the school district and teachers union.

Students are scheduled to return to classes Sept. 9, pending final ratification of the contract between Everett Public Schools and the Everett Education Association.

Schools will run on a regular full day schedule. The Wednesday after Labor Day Weekend is the day school usually starts in Everett, so this year is no different, according to the district. The start date was settled, along with the rest of the contract, just after 10:30 p.m. Friday.

“We wanted to get something done so we can start,” said Jared Kink, president of the education association. “We couldn’t get a lot accomplished early on because our state was so late in getting a budget.”

After long days of negotiations, the association plans to vote on finalizing the agreement Tuesday and the Everett School Board plans to vote on it Sept. 8.

District officials also aim to finalize a calendar with major dates and events for the school year during the Sept. 8 school board meeting, then email it to parents and post it online the first day of school. A full calendar featuring student art is set to come out later in September.

Kink declined to comment on any specifics of the contract negotiations until the 1,100-member strong union finalizes the agreement.

In general, “most of our issues had to deal with workload and time,” he said.

Teachers have workdays scheduled Sept. 3 and Sept. 8 to get ready for the new school year.

“We know it’s difficult for the community not to have a school calendar,” Kink said. “But we appreciate their patience and support.”

It’s not unusual for contract negotiations to go into August or September, district spokeswoman Diane Bradford said. A full calendar will be available for parents and students as soon as possible, she said, and details of the new contract should be available this week.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com