Board approves two‑year BEA collective bargaining agreement; union ratifies 95%

The Bellevue School District Board of Directors approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Bellevue Education Association on June 26, after union leaders told the board the tentative agreement was ratified by members at 95 percent.

Jill Rock, president of the Bellevue Education Association, described a drawn-out, interest‑based bargaining process that had strong union support: “We had a unanimous support for our tentative agreement from our executive board and our general membership ratified at 95%,” she said. Rock said the parties focused on cost‑neutral language where necessary and prioritized support for educators on non‑continuing contracts and continued MTSS work.

Jeff Thomas, who co‑led the district’s bargaining team, praised the process and described it as a successful example of interest‑based bargaining in a constrained fiscal environment. ‘‘Negotiations are harder when you don't have any resources, and yet some of the best negotiations happen exactly when you don't have resources because it forces creativity,’’ he said.

The board moved and approved the agreement by roll call vote. Director Phil Block moved to approve the BEA–BSD collective bargaining agreement; the motion was seconded and the board voted unanimously, recorded as "aye" by Directors Block, Watson, Trias, Webster and Norris. Board members praised both bargaining teams for collaboration and noted the contract was reached before summer, an outcome the board described as helpful for staff planning.

Board discussion acknowledged the district’s broader fiscal challenges. Directors said they appreciated the union’s flexibility given statewide funding constraints and highlighted the centrality of supporting educators while managing limited resources. The approved agreement will be implemented according to its negotiated terms and the parties’ ratification process.