(Updated August 21, 2009 to reflect joint statement)
The Anacortes School District and the teachers union have reached a tentative contract settlement, pending approval by members of the teachers union, thus avoiding the threat of a walkout at the start of classes. The current contract expires at the end of this month.
A joint statement on Friday by the school district and the union confirmed the agreement.
"Anacortes Education Association and the Anacortes School District are pleased to announce they have reached a tentative contract agreement for 2009-2010 school year. AEA leadership will be endorsing this agreement when they bring it to their membership for approval. Anacortes School District administration will be presenting this tentative agreement also in September to the school board for their consideration. No specific details will be announced at this time until the agreement and contract has been presented to the AEA membership and the Anacortes School Board."
School Superintendent Chris Borgen briefed the School Board Thursday night in a closed executive session.
Separately, Borgen told Anacortes Now that the tentative pact is a one-year contract, rather than the usual four-year agreement because of the current economic conditions. He said the new contract did not call for raises other than the usual annual increases.
Borgen said the agreement was along the lines of contracts for other employee groups at the school. He said there was little else he could say publicly until the union rank-and-file approves the new contract, which he indicated may not be until next week.