Posted on Mar 18, 2023
Woodburn teachers declare impasse and prepare for strike, in wake of dozens of resignations
701
20
5
7
7
0
The Woodburn Education Association said since May 2021, 96 teachers have left the district or moved into a different position.
Across Woodburn schools, signs hang in classroom windows and on school building walls.
“Woodburn teachers don’t want to strike, but we will.”
The Woodburn School District and the union representing Woodburn teachers have been negotiating a new contract for nine months. Wednesday, Woodburn Education Association representatives announced that they’d reached an impasse with the district, a step that is legally required when talks break down. It means teachers are one step closer to a potential strike.
The possible strike shows the difficulties the majority Latino district north of Salem has experienced through the pandemic. Woodburn has been held up as a model in recent years for supporting Latino students through dual-language programs and targeted support. In 2019, Woodburn boasted an 89% high school graduation rate for Latino students — 12 points above the state average for that demographic group at the time. In 2022, that graduation rate was down to 72% for the same group, lower than the state’s 78%.
Across Woodburn schools, signs hang in classroom windows and on school building walls.
“Woodburn teachers don’t want to strike, but we will.”
The Woodburn School District and the union representing Woodburn teachers have been negotiating a new contract for nine months. Wednesday, Woodburn Education Association representatives announced that they’d reached an impasse with the district, a step that is legally required when talks break down. It means teachers are one step closer to a potential strike.
The possible strike shows the difficulties the majority Latino district north of Salem has experienced through the pandemic. Woodburn has been held up as a model in recent years for supporting Latino students through dual-language programs and targeted support. In 2019, Woodburn boasted an 89% high school graduation rate for Latino students — 12 points above the state average for that demographic group at the time. In 2022, that graduation rate was down to 72% for the same group, lower than the state’s 78%.
Woodburn teachers declare impasse and prepare for strike, in wake of dozens of resignations
Posted from opb.org
Woodburn
Schools
Education
Children
Teaching
Posted 1 y ago
Responses: 5
5
5
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."District officials said the union’s requests for smaller class sizes and compensation changes are too costly, instead offering a total 12% cost of living adjustment over the next three years. Officials said the total financial package offered to teachers would cost $9.5 million.
The district also pointed to underfunding from the state as the problem “at the heart of this conflict.”
Over the last several months, WEA has held community meetings in Spanish with parents. At bargaining sessions in the high school library, the union invited parents to watch.
Salm said it’s important for families to know what’s going on in their child’s school and build more engagement, especially with the Spanish-speaking families in a district that’s 87% Latino.
“There was not a lot of knowledge about [...] class size, about dual language, about the holes in the program,” Salm said.
“We feel very much supported by the families who have shown up at bargaining.”
The union and the district have come to agreement on one important piece of the contract — support for the district’s dual language program in the form of curriculum materials, professional development, and a focus on retaining and recruiting bilingual teachers.
WEA said they believe Woodburn is the first district to have dual language as an article in their contract.
The school district has already created an advisory committee to review the dual language program. Language in the contract recommends the continuation of that committee, which includes administrators, parents and teachers."
..."District officials said the union’s requests for smaller class sizes and compensation changes are too costly, instead offering a total 12% cost of living adjustment over the next three years. Officials said the total financial package offered to teachers would cost $9.5 million.
The district also pointed to underfunding from the state as the problem “at the heart of this conflict.”
Over the last several months, WEA has held community meetings in Spanish with parents. At bargaining sessions in the high school library, the union invited parents to watch.
Salm said it’s important for families to know what’s going on in their child’s school and build more engagement, especially with the Spanish-speaking families in a district that’s 87% Latino.
“There was not a lot of knowledge about [...] class size, about dual language, about the holes in the program,” Salm said.
“We feel very much supported by the families who have shown up at bargaining.”
The union and the district have come to agreement on one important piece of the contract — support for the district’s dual language program in the form of curriculum materials, professional development, and a focus on retaining and recruiting bilingual teachers.
WEA said they believe Woodburn is the first district to have dual language as an article in their contract.
The school district has already created an advisory committee to review the dual language program. Language in the contract recommends the continuation of that committee, which includes administrators, parents and teachers."
(5)
(0)
4
4
0
3
3
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel What the teachers are complaining about is real. The district and school are constantly putting more demands on teachers with little to no additional compensation; there isn't enough time to do it all. That's why my work day never ends at 1500 hours. If I don't stay at school the work comes home with me. A good friend of mine walked after twenty-three years (You need thirty for full retirement or twenty-five for reduced retirement. He couldn't handle the stress any longer.
(3)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google