VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - Several school districts in southwest Washington state have delayed the start of the school year this week as teachers unions and districts failed to reach agreements over teacher pay.
The Columbian reports that districts and unions in Clark County and across the state are negotiating new pay scales due to new school funding legislation. The Legislature this year added nearly another $1 billion for teacher salaries.
Classes won’t start as scheduled Wednesday for 6,500 students in Longview Public Schools as teachers hit the picket lines.
School was also canceled Tuesday for about 27,000 students in Evergreen Public Schools and 3,200 students in the Washougal School District.
Teachers in Seattle voted Tuesday to authorize a strike unless an agreement is reached with the state’s largest district by the time school resumes Sept. 5.
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