Washougal reaches agreement

The strike is over in Washougal as the teachers union ratified a new two-year contract with 100 percent of members in attendance voting yes, Thursday, Sept. 6.

Washougal School District students will begin school tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 7.

The beginning teacher salary this year will be $51,434 and the maximum will be $96,944.

“Washougal teachers are proud of our new two-year contract and the competitive pay raises it provides,” Eric Engebretson, union president, said in a press release. “On average, Washougal teachers will be receiving an 18 percent salary increase this school year, which will help us continue attracting and keeping great educators for Washougal students. We hope our settlement will inspire superintendents in other striking school districts to negotiate the pay raises their teachers deserve. If we can make it happen in Washougal, they can, too.”

The new contract language addresses teacher salaries, class size, combination classrooms and special education caseloads.

The district is pleased to have reached an agreement with the teacher association, Washougal Superintendent Mary Templeton said in a district announcement.

“Our hearts and minds are now set to the future and growing together as a community,” she said. “The school board and I acknowledge that this has been a challenging situation for all of us, and we are relieved that our families and students will now be focusing on getting back to school.”  

The Washougal High School graduation date will remain June 8.