PORTLAND, Ore. — Teachers in Oregon's largest school system could soon go on strike, should the district and union fail to reach an agreement by the end of the month.
On Wednesday, a day after a final mediation came up short, Portland Public Schools (PPS) administrators held a virtual meeting for families on the district's contingency plan. If teachers walk out, the district said they would have no choice but to close schools, meaning no in-person class or online instruction.
However, students will have access to self-directed lessons from home. Families that qualify will be able to get grab and go meals. Varsity sports will continue operations, but other extracurriculars will be postponed or rescheduled. PPS has posted more information on their website.
Educators are pushing the district for more funding and more resources. Negotiations on a new contract for teachers has been ongoing for months. The union is demanding better wages with cost of living adjustments, smaller class sizes and more dedicated prep time each week for teachers.
"We recognize that the job of an educator is different today," said Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero. "We also understand that the needs of our students have continued to grow as well."
PPS said everything the union wants would cost much more than they have the budget for. School district officials said there is an almost $230 million gap between their offer and the teachers union's demands.
"There is not enough money in administration if we cut all of administration and had no central services to bridge the gap in the PAT proposal and the PPS proposal," said Dr. Renard Adams, who is on the district's bargaining team. "We have repeatedly asked the Portland Association of Teachers for a short list of their priorities, and they've continued to say that it's a comprehensive package."
The Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) issued a statement on Wednesday that said, in part, "It was clear to the PAT bargaining team yesterday that the district wasn’t serious about coming to an agreement that gives our students what they need. We have asked for more bargaining dates and are waiting to hear back."
PAT's statement also said if PPS wants to avoid a strike, it needs to come to the table with more funding and resources for students and schools.
"We plan to remain at the bargaining table for as long as necessary to reach a solution and avoid a strike," Guerrero said. "And even more important, arrive at an agreement that better serves our students and supports our teachers."