After seven months of bargaining, 4J School District and the Eugene Education Association have reached a tentative contract agreement.
The 3-year agreement includes salary increases for every teacher each year. It also adds prep time for elementary teachers. Tad Shannon, President of the Eugene Education Association, says one way they’ll add prep time is by hiring more specialists, including P.E and music teachers and librarians. Shannon says that’s a win-win for teachers and students.
“Overall, as a package we feel that this is a good deal.” Shannon says, “And a fair deal for our members because right now in education people are working very, very hard. We’re trying to make sure the conditions that folks work under will be sustainable so that people can make this a career.”
Shannon says the contract still has to be ratified by the teacher association’s membership next week. It then has to be approved by the Eugene 4J School Board. Shannon says the bargaining process was not easy but he’s relieved that everyone can get back to concentrating on educating students.