Mercer Island School District and Teachers Union Reach Tentative Agreement on Contracts

The and the  teacher's union District and Union have reportedly reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract for certificated teachers and classified staff, including paraprofessionals and bus drivers.

Both the MIEA and the school district issued statements at the conclusion of the bargaining session heralding the agreement. MIEA President Tani Lindquist made the following announcement of an agreement on the union's website.

"Great news!  The bargaining teams have come to an agreement for our contract. 

We are working on a document for you outlining some of the details.  In the mean time, know the big items of concern have been agreed upon:  There won't be a change to early release this Fall and your pay checks will remain the same!  The teams still need to finish up some of the details and write language. 

The proposed contract will be presented in detail for ratification at our General Membership meeting on August 30th at 4:15.  It is important to have everyone there.

And a HUGE thank you to everyone who turned out for our rallies in support of the bargainers, attended school board meetings, and spoke at the school board meetings.  You made the difference in this difficult bargain.  Well done!"

The Mercer Island School District also released a statement on the School District's Website: 

"On June 28, 2011, the MIEA and District Bargaining Teams reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract. Early-release days will remain unchanged for 2011-12. Details of the settlement will be forthcoming following ratification by both parties which is expected in late August."

The state legislature had reduced education funding directed to teachers by 1.9 percent, but the decision on funding is ultimately in the hands of the local school district. Mercer Island schools avoided teacher layoffs for the coming school year by raising a record $1.2 million through the 's to pay for the salaries of an estimated 20 teachers to help keep class sizes low.

Education salary cost of living adjustments for school district employees represented by the MIEA have been frozen since 2008.

Lindquist declined to discuss details of the negotiations at a school board meeting last week but hinted that the two sides were close to an agreement.

"We're talking about a difference of about $200,000," she said. "The staff really believe that we've been working harder and better than ever before we've helped build one of the best school districts in the state."