Teachers strike settled in Bethel, Wash.

Classes resumed Wednesday after agreement on two-year contract.

Sept. 6, 2007

Bethel (Wash.) district schools started classes Wednesday just hours after striking teachers approved a two-year contract that will cost the district an additional $4.8 million. Over the next two months, administrators will scrutinize this school year’s $157 million operating budget in search of $1.8 million in cuts. Next school year’s budget must absorb the remaining $3 million.
Click here to read The Tacoma News Tribune article.

EARLIER: Teachers in the Bethel (Wash.) district are on strike, effectively shutting down schools on what was supposed to be the first day of class for 18,000 students. Talks between the district and Bethel Education Association broke down Tuesday over disagreements on workload, class size and pay. Teachers already were slated to receive, from the state, a 4.3 percent cost-of-living increase this school year and an additional 3.5 percent the following year. However, association members say they need more money to remain competitive with other nearby districts.
Click here to read The Tacoma News-Tribune article.