The Evergreen Public Schools Board of Directors on Aug. 22 approved Resolution No. 7077, moving the districts first day of school from Tuesday, Aug. 26, to Tuesday, Sept. 2, and authorizing a set of emergency powers to be used if employees represented by the Public School Employees of Washington (PSE) Large Group withhold services.

The resolution, adopted after a short executive session and discussion, says the board has "substantial grounds to believe that an unlawful strike by employees represented by the PSE Large Group is imminent or underway," and states that state law prohibits public school employees from striking. It says the board moved the start date "to provide certainty and stability to families and staff" and to avoid day-by-day cancellations if a strike continued.

The board directed the districts bargaining team to make itself available to meet and negotiate with PSE Large Group every business day until a resolution is reached. The resolution also authorizes a range of measures to be used during any period when employees withhold services: temporary suspension of policies that would impede immediate action, closure of school facilities at the superintendents discretion, limiting access to district property to law enforcement, employees not withholding services, enrolled students and their guardians, and others deemed necessary by the superintendent; and seeking legal removal of unauthorized persons from district property.

On employee leave and pay, the resolution says that if a strike or work stoppage occurs, any employee requesting sick leave must provide an affidavit of illness and a doctors certificate; the district will not grant sick leave pay unless the employee worked or was validly excused the day before and the day after the claimed illness. Unpaid leave during a strike requires district approval, will be considered only for documented hardship or unforeseen circumstances, and employees must exhaust available paid leave balances before unpaid leave will be considered.

The resolution permits the superintendent or designee to hire temporary employees, including security staff and service contractors at reasonable rates of pay, and to obtain equipment, supplies, and materials needed to continue safe and effective operations. The board authorized the superintendent and administrative staff "to take all steps necessary for full and effective implementation of this resolution." The board limited the authorities in the resolution to the period when services are withheld by employees represented by PSE Large Group; the resolution automatically expires when the parties reach a signed tentative agreement and employees return to work.

Board members emphasized urgency and a desire to minimize disruption. Director Grenwalt said, "make sure that, you know, we spend the week and, come to an agreement and assure our families that were doing everything that we can and put a date out there," noting the aim of avoiding last-minute uncertainty for families. Director Perkins said the district should "give ourselves, PSE Large, and the community this week of grace, to reach an agreement," and cited lessons from 2018 and 2023 about the harm of day-by-day cancellations. The presiding board member added, "I know that our district will continue to bargain in good faith and put the needs of our students and our families and our staff first."

The board voted in favor of the resolution; the motion to approve Resolution No. 7077 passed and the meeting adjourned at about 12:30 p.m. The resolution instructs the secretary of the board to notify the PSE Large Group of any resolutions passed during the suspension period and states the board will restore suspended policies once employees return to work under a new agreement and after ratification where required.

The actions affect district students, families and classified staff in the Evergreen Public Schools district and take effect if covered employees withhold services. The resolution does not set a discipline process beyond general statements that unauthorized leave may constitute breach of contract and may result in discharge or discipline; it ties continued authority to the existence of withholding of services and to reaching a signed tentative agreement.