To the families of the Camas community:
The educators — teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, counselors and school psychologists — in Camas want to express our profound gratitude for the support shown to us from our parents, students and community members. If you have attended any of the rallies or school board meetings, you have heard educators passionately express their dedication to the teaching profession and to their students. Working in Camas is an honor for us because we know how special it is to find a community that values educators so highly.
As you certainly have seen, there is turmoil and uncertainty in the world of education right now. The Washington Legislature approved additional funding to increase educator compensation far beyond what we have received in the past. The state also abolished our old salary schedule and changed school funding models to accomplish this. Bargaining units, such as the Camas Education Association, were tasked with negotiating for new systems of compensation with their districts.
We started meeting with the Camas School District (CSD) bargaining team in May and have continued meeting throughout the summer. Although both sides have made progress and movement during these negotiations, on Aug. 26, the CSD bargaining team told us they were “tapped out” and requested mediation.
What does this mean? At a general membership meeting held Aug. 27, CEA members voted to strike with a 95.7 percent approval rate. This was not a decision we took lightly.
We recognize the impact that a strike may have on families and community members, as it disrupts the typical routine. Please know that this action is not one we entered into lightly. It is truly a last resort. We sincerely hope that if the district is willing to continue bargaining with us, it is possible for school to start on time and the rebuilding process to begin.