VANCOUVER, Wash. — Evergreen Public Schools (EPS) will delay the start of the 2025-26 school year by one week, pushing the first day of classes to Tuesday, September 2, due to ongoing contract negotiations with a key classified employees union.
The decision, announced Friday, follows a unanimous vote by the EPS Board of Directors to adjust the school calendar. The delay is intended to give district negotiators additional time to reach a deal with the Public School Employees (PSE) Large Group union, whose contract expires on August 30.
Union leaders have indicated that their members—approximately 1,400 paraeducators, bus drivers, security officers, and maintenance staff—have authorized a strike starting August 26, the original first day of school.
“By delaying the start of school, we are giving bargaining teams an opportunity to reach a contract that is fair to both sides and sustainable under our current budget constraints,” said EPS Superintendent Dr. Christine Moloney. “A one-week delay will allow students, families, and staff to make plans with less of the uncertainty that often comes with day-to-day negotiation developments.”
Dr. Moloney emphasized that school cannot safely operate without the union’s essential staff.
Negotiations with the PSE Large Group began in March and entered mediation in July with the assistance of a state-appointed mediator from the Public Employment Relations Commission. The district is continuing to provide updates and proposal details on its PSE Large Group Bargaining webpage.
What Families Need to Know Next Week
Despite the delayed start, certain services and programs will continue as planned:
-
Middle and high school athletics will proceed as scheduled.
-
New student registration remains open both online and at school sites.
-
Boundary assistance is available via the EPS Boundary Department or by emailing [email protected].
More about:
Jordan Vawter
Source link