Salem-Keizer Public Schools board approves classified contract, prepares for teacher strike
The Salem-Keizer School Board has ratified a three-year contract with its classified union after nearly a year of bargaining.
Under the contract approved Tuesday, classified workers will receive a 7% raise this school year, retroactive to July 1, 2023, a 3.75% raise next year and a 4% raise the following year.
The agreement also increases the district’s contributions toward health insurance premiums, and includes a one-time, $5,000 retention bonus for employees working at least half-time. Other employees would receive $2,500.
ASK ESP, which represents about 2,500 classified workers, approved the contract last week.
District’s teachers union preparing for strike as early as April 1
During a school board meeting Tuesday, Maraline Ellis, vice president of the Salem Keizer Education Association, pleaded with board members to pressure district officials to settle the contract with the teacher's union.
“We don’t want to strike. But we can’t accept less than what is fair, reasonable and helpful to our students,” Ellis said.
Superintendent Andrea Castañeda said at the meeting she didn’t feel it was appropriate to discuss teacher contract negotiations in light of a shooting last Thursday near South Salem High School that left one student dead, two injured and another charged with murder and attempted murder.
Gunfire erupted in the southwest corner of Bush’s Pasture Park the afternoon of March 7, triggering a six-hour park closure, lockdowns of nearby schools and Salem Hospital, and a massive manhunt.
Union members said the incident only underscores the need for smaller class sizes and more money to be invested at the classroom level.
“Everything in our contract focuses on students and how to better serve students,” Ellis told board members. “We want to work and serve our students.”
The two sides have one more mediation session scheduled, on March 20, before teachers are allowed to call a strike. The vote could come as soon as March 22. District officials have said that, in the event of a strike, they will close all schools.
Lisa Harnish appointed as board director
In other business, the board appointed a new director to replace Osvaldo Avila, who resigned suddenly last month citing family reasons.
Lisa Harnisch will fill the remainder of the Zone 1 term, which runs through June 30, 2025. Zone 1 represents West Salem.
Harnisch is executive director of the nonprofit Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub. She previously held leadership roles in the state’s Early Learning Division, Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority.
She has served on a variety of district committees, including the budget committee, bond oversight committee, and the long-range facility task force and is a past Salem Keizer Education Foundation board member.
Avila had served on the seven-member, volunteer board since 2021 and was serving as first vice-chairperson before he resigned.
The board chose Cynthia Richardson, who represents Zone 2, to fill that role. Richardson, a former district administrator, was elected to the board last year. Zone 2 includes part of northeast Salem.
Tracy Loew covers education at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem-Keizer Public Schools prepares for teacher strike
