Your Tuesday evening update on Salem news

Good evening, Salem.

Teachers are not going on strike in Salem. That means students will be back in class as scheduled next week following spring break.

Western University of Health Sciences Lebanon Oregon

Union and district leaders reached a deal at the bargaining table just after 1 a.m., hammering out the last technical details around proposals intended to bring some relief to overcrowded elementary school classrooms and spell out how teacher workload is calculated.

Issues of pay were largely settled in earlier sessions. Teachers will see a 6.25% raise, retroactive to January, and a 3.5% raise next school year, as well as a $6,000 one-time retention bonus.

But that doesn’t mean concern about money or how schools are run is over.

Teachers still need to vote to ratify the contract. That process is likely to take weeks, union leaders indicated. Some took to Facebook after the deal was announced to express frustration about compromises made during the bargaining process, especially around class sizes for middle and high school teachers.

And budget cuts and layoffs now loom for the district. Superintendent Andrea Castañeda expects to seek school board approval for a reduction in force come April. That process will stir up tensions, which are already high between teachers and district leaders, particularly Castañeda.

If you’re an educator covered by the contract, a parent or a district student, we’d love to hear your thoughts and questions. How do you hope or think the new deal will change your classroom? What concerns do you still have? What would you like to see in the coming weeks from district and union leaders?

Let Managing Editor Rachel Alexander know at [email protected].

Below is some of today’s news. You can always find our latest stories on our website here.

www.salemreporter.com

Salem-Keizer teachers, district reach deal averting strike

Teachers reached a tentative agreement with the Salem-Keizer School District on a two-year contract just after 1 a.m. Tuesday, ending nearly a year of tense negotiations.

www.salemreporter.com

Salem man accused of stealing enormous amount of mail faces federal charges

Counterfeit mailbox keys, checks, bank cards and 30 pounds of mail are among the items seized during a police search of a south Salem apartment after years of complaints from…

www.salemreporter.com

Eco Earth restoration, domestic violence housing among Salem projects getting state help

Six Salem projects will get millions of taxpayer dollars out of the 2024 legislative session. The money will help kickstart construction on a new Vietnam veterans memorial and social service…

NEWS TIP? Send your information or idea to [email protected]. If your topic requires confidentiality, contact Managing Editor Rachel Alexander: [email protected].

SUBMITTING AN OBITUARY – Our service is $100 with up to five photos and unlimited text. Read our suggestions for a meaningful story.

SUBSCRIPTION ISSUE? Get clear answers from our Subscription Policies and Help page.

Our mailing address is: 494 State St., #410 • Salem, Oregon 97301

You are receiving this email because you signed up through our website or participated in a promotion.

Salem-Keizer teachers, district reach deal averting strike

Salem man accused of stealing enormous amount of mail faces federal charges

Eco Earth restoration, domestic violence housing among Salem projects getting state help

Create a free account, or log in.

Upgrade your subscription