YELM, Wash. — Yelm Community Schools and the teacher's union voted to ratify a collective bargaining agreement Tuesday afternoon.
Yelm Community Schools (YCS) officials and the Yelm Education Association (YEA) members met at the Performing Arts Center and Yelm High School at 1 p.m. to vote on the tentative agreement. Since the agreement was approved, classes will begin Wednesday, Sept. 4, and kindergarten will begin Monday, Sept. 9.
The first day of school in the Yelm school district was originally scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3, and was postponed due to the impending strike.
According to YEA, 84.5% of members voted to approve the agreement.
YCS and YEA members bargained through the weekend after voting to strike beginning Sept. 3. According to YEA, the key issues discussed were increasing support for students with special needs and school counselors, more planning time for educators, state-funded salary increases and a cost-of-living adjustment.
“We are thankful for the community’s support in helping us reach a fair contract for our members and creating the best environment for our students,” says Tasha Johnson and Kat Cullum, co-presidents of Yelm Education Association, in a press release. “We hope the community continues to support Yelm Community Schools and staff in years to come.”
YCS Superintendent Chris Woods released a newsletter with more information for parents about operations for the first day of school.
"We want to thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time and ask that you help us thank both bargaining teams for their time and effort to reach an agreement. Our focus now is on helping our students and staff have a terrific start to the school year," Woods wrote in a press release.