Yelm teachers to vote today on tentative agreement reached with district on Labor Day
Yelm Community Schools and its teachers’ union reached a tentative agreement on Monday, and teachers will vote on the contract this afternoon.
Members of the Yelm Education Association will hold a ratification vote at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Performing Arts Center at Yelm High School, according to a union news release. Classes will begin Wednesday if educators approve the agreement.
“We’re so grateful to the many families, community members, union siblings and students who have supported us throughout this long process,” Yelm Education Association Co-President Kat Cullum said in a news release.
The agreement came together after 5 p.m. Labor Day, according to the news release. That same day, the union posted photos on Facebook, showing educators prepping to picket the school on Tuesday, which had been scheduled to be the first day of school. Union members authorized a strike last week after months of bargaining that started on June 21.
Cullum said the union has been focused on securing an agreement that would benefit workers and students.
“Our bargain has been about having good working conditions and student learning conditions,” Cullum said. “To ensure they do, we need manageable class sizes and equitable access to resources that make it possible for students to learn. We also need to be able to support our own families without falling behind.”
Educators’ key issues included more support for students with special needs, time for educators to plan and consult, increased support for student counselors as well as passing through state-funded salary increases and cost-of-living adjustments.
YCS Superintendent Chris Woods announced the tentative agreement in a letter to families and staff. He said the district was “extremely pleased” to inform them about this development.
“We want to thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time and ask that you help us thank both bargaining teams for their time and effort to reach an agreement,” Woods said. “Our focus now is on helping our students and staff have a terrific start to the school year.”
In the same letter, Woods confirmed grades 1-12 will start on Wednesday if the agreement is ratified. Kindergarten will start on Sept. 9, he said.
This story was originally published September 3, 2024 at 10:40 AM with the headline "Yelm teachers to vote today on tentative agreement reached with district on Labor Day."
