Vancouver Public Schools reaches tentative contract agreement with teachers

Vancouver Public Schools and the Vancouver Education Association have reached a tentative new contract for teachers, counselors and other district staff.

If approved, the contract clears the way for school to start on Wednesday. The Vancouver Education Association will vote Tuesday morning at Skyview High School whether or not to approve the contract.

“Unlike other districts that only had to address teacher salaries, VEA and VPS had to negotiate an entire contract,” Superintendent Steve Webb said in a news release. “I am grateful to the bargaining teams for working very hard together to come to an agreement. And, I especially want to thank our teachers and staff, parents and community members for their patience and understanding as we completed this difficult process.

More details of the contract will not be released until after the ratification vote, said Rick Wilson, Vancouver Education Association executive director.

“We’re feeling wonderful,” Wilson said. “We think we’ve gotten a great deal for our members, for the community, for the students that we serve, and we’re looking forward to getting this in front of our members.”

After a marathon 22-hour bargaining session Friday into Saturday, Vancouver bargaining team members joined at the table at 1 p.m. Sunday and bargaining for another eight hours.

“It all kind of blends together,” Wilson said. “I didn’t get any sleep yesterday.”

The news of Vancouver’s settlement comes just hours after the Camas Education Association announced it had reached an agreement with its district. Five other school districts — Evergreen, Ridgefield, Washougal, Battle Ground and Hockinson — remain on strike as they continue to negotiate their contracts.