x
Breaking News
More () »

Kent teachers approve new contract day before school starts

Kent teachers approved a new contract agreement Wednesday night days before the start of the school year.
Kent teachers rally outside the district office earlier this month. (KING 5)

Teachers in Kent have a new contract after days of negotiations. The Kent Education Association (KEA) general membership voted to approve the agreement Wednesday evening.

Teachers had authorized a strike if a salary agreement was not reached between the KEA and the district by noon.

The first day of classes is Thursday, August 30.

Also see | List of possible school strikes in Washington

Christie Padilla, president of the Kent Education Association, said the sticking point in the negotiations was that the district wanted to keep $33 million of the McCleary money in its rainy-day fund.

KEA said 97.2 of the teachers present at a meeting earlier this month were in favor of the strike.

Before You Leave, Check This Out