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Beaverton educators press board as contract talks move to mediation
Summary
Beaverton Education Association and classified staff leaders told the school board that bargaining remains unresolved after nearly a year; mediation sessions are scheduled and unions warned members could authorize strike action if progress stalls.
At the Jan. 14 business meeting of the Beaverton School Board, Beaverton Education Association President Lindsey Ray told trustees that bargaining with the district has not produced a ratifiable contract and that mediation is scheduled later this month.
Ray said, “This Thursday, we'll mark 200 days without a contract for certified educators in Beaverton, and we have been bargaining since February of 2024.” She said members were holding “bright lines” they would not concede and that “90% of the educators that we have spoken to said that they would be willing to go on strike if the B.E.A. bargaining team called for it.”
Kirsty Sackman, president of the classified employees’ union OSEA, said classified staff appreciate the board’s time but emphasized that OSEA will not strike alongside BEA if BEA moves to strike. “We, as OSEA, stand fully in solidarity with our BEA colleagues,” Sackman said, “but I wanna make sure that our classified staff know… we will not be replacing or filling in for BEA colleagues.”
Several speakers from the public urged both sides to reach agreement. Retired district employee Sherry Arthur described growing parental concern about a potential strike and urged compromise: “I trust that this BSD board and our BSD negotiation team will continue to do everything in their power to reach a fair and equitable agreement.” Parent Jenna Sells said a settlement would relieve stress for families: “I really hope that you guys can reach some sort of negotiation. It will put so much, stress aside for so many people.”
The superintendent reported that the district and BEA have been engaging in mediation and that staff are hopeful but continue to prepare for multiple outcomes. The superintendent noted progress in recent mediation sessions and said the district will present counterproposals to the union on Jan. 23 and attend an official mediation session on Jan. 28.
Why it matters: Prolonged bargaining can disrupt instruction if the union calls job actions and affects district planning and staffing. Trustees heard that both bargaining teams are meeting in mediation and were urged by union leaders and community members to negotiate an agreement that addresses pay, workload, recruitment and retention.
What was not decided: No formal board action on the bargaining terms was taken at this meeting. The unions and the district continue to negotiate through mediation.
