Teacher contract discussion underway

CHENEY – Local teachers were planning a rally Tuesday afternoon to put pressure on School District officials to come to an agreement on a contract.

The protest was set to begin at 1:15 p.m. in front of Cheney Middle School; the newspaper went to press before the event began.

School District officials were unable to be reached for comment on deadline.

Cheney Education Association union officials and School District leaders have been meeting since May to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement for the 2024-25 school year.

The current contract will expire Aug. 31.

The union is demanding protections on class size limits and reductions in caseloads for the district’s most vulnerable students. It also wants the district to increase support for special education and inclusion.

“Every child deserves a safe learning environment,” union President Meridth Lemelin said. “The answer to safe classrooms for staff and students is training, support, and sufficient staffing.”

According to Lemelin, district administrators are dragging their feet on negotiations.

“With the school year starting soon, we’re still far apart on several issues that are important for our members,” she said. “Educators want to start on Day 1 with a contract that guarantees we can adequately serve our students.”