The delay comes amidst the district’s ongoing negotiations with its PSE Large Group classified union, whose contract expires August 30
On Friday (Aug. 22), Evergreen Public Schools announced that it will delay the start of the 2025-26 school year by one week, with classes starting Tuesday, September 2. The delay comes amidst the district’s ongoing negotiations with its PSE Large Group classified union, whose contract expires August 30.
The EPS Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution Friday to approve the schedule change, which will give the district negotiating team more time to reach an agreement with the union. Union leaders have announced that their members approved a strike starting on the first day of school, which had originally been August 26.
“By delaying the start of school, we are giving bargaining teams an opportunity to reach a contract that is fair to both sides and sustainable under our current budget constraints,” said Dr. Christine Moloney, EPS Superintendent. “A one-week delay will allow students, families and staff to make plans with less of the uncertainty of the day-to-day decision-making that sometimes comes during negotiation proceedings.”
Dr. Moloney and the Board said classes cannot be held safely without members of the union, which includes paraeducators, bus drivers, security officers and maintenance staff.
The district has been negotiating with the PSE Large Group, which represents about 1,400 classified employees, since March. Starting in July, the sessions have included a mediator appointed by the state’s Public Employee Relations Commission. Updates and information on the latest proposals are available on the PSE Large Group Bargaining webpage.
Next week the following will be available for families:
- Athletics: Middle and high school sports will continue next week as scheduled.
- Registration for new students will continue to be available at schools and online.
- Boundaries: The Boundary Department will be open, and those with questions can also email boundaries@evergreenps.org.
About Evergreen Public Schools: With about 22,000 students in 38 schools in the city of Vancouver, Evergreen Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the state of Washington. The district was founded in 1945, when nine schools from eight different districts came together.
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By pushing back the opening of school the board and district have already acknowledged the equivalent of a strike. If the union members go on strike with the board/district take immediate legal action or not?
My guess is no.