At a special meeting Friday, Sept. 5, the board of directors adopted Resolution 7,080 regarding a strike by public school employees represented by the Washington Evergreen Chapter Large Group.

The resolution, approved by a voice vote, addressed a work stoppage that has delayed the school year for about two weeks and asked the district and bargaining teams to continue negotiations. “We want our kids back in school,” Director Bocanegra said during discussion.

The board’s action came after a motion to approve Resolution 7,080, which was moved by Director Bocanegra and seconded by Director Perkins. Following brief remarks from several directors that described the resolution as a last-resort step, the chair called for a vote and members voted in favor. “This is a last resort action,” the meeting chair said, and asked the district to remain in good-faith negotiations.

Board members emphasized the priority of getting students into classrooms while bargaining continues. “We want both sides of the negotiating teams to come together,” Director Bocanegra said. Director Wilson described being “saddened that we are at this point” and noted that, from the current distance between the parties, “it seems like the only option” may be seeking an injunction.

One director said the board had been receiving daily updates from the district and bargaining team, including meetings with Dr. Maloney, and urged continued efforts to reach a fair, sustainable contract. The chair reiterated that adoption of the resolution did not end bargaining and requested that the district continue to negotiate with the mediator.

After the vote on Resolution 7,080 the board moved to an informational item about an unfair labor practice complaint related to the same matter; the informational item was noted but not acted on. The meeting adjourned about 3:06 p.m.

Details: Resolution number: 7,080; subject: strike by public school employees of the Washington Evergreen Chapter Large Group; meeting type: special board meeting; date/time: Sept. 5, approximately 3:00–3:06 p.m.; outcome: resolution adopted.