After striking for more than three weeks in November, the Portland, Oregon, school district and the union representing teachers, school counselors and other employees reached an agreement that boosts salaries and planning time. But the new contract does not place a cap on class size, as educators had wanted. Instead, the 3,400-member Portland Association of Teachers and the district agreed to expand the approach from the previous contract: pay bonus overages to teachers with oversized classrooms.

The contract, which was ratified by the members, includes a 6.25% raise in the first year, followed by 4.5% and 3% raises in subsequent years. The agreement adds classroom time for students in elementary and middle grades and increases planning time for elementary and middle school teachers by 90 minutes a week. The contract also triples the number of staff members who support children’s mental and emotional health.

As part of the agreement, Portland plans to shorten its winter break and extend the school year to make up lost class time.

It was the first teachers’ strike in the district, according to the union, and it came after months of negotiations failed to produce an agreement.

Associated Press, Nov. 26
Oregon Public Broadcasting, Nov. 29