Members of the Yelm Education Association (YEA) voted yesterday, September 3, to ratify its 2024-2027 contract with the Yelm Community Schools (YCS), after a tentative agreement was drafted Monday.
YEA members gathered at Yelm High School on Tuesday, and 84.5% voted to ratify a collective bargaining agreement with the district, as stated in Washington Education Association (WEA) representative Linda Woo’s email.
The highlights of the agreement included:
The ratification moves the first day of class for most grades today, September 4, while kindergarten classes start on September 9.
“We are thankful for the community’s support in helping us reach a fair contract for our members and creating the best environment for our students,” says Tasha Johnson and Kat Cullum, YEA co-presidents, as stated in Woo’s email. “We hope the community continues to support Yelm Community Schools and staff in years to come.”
If no tentative agreement is reached, YEA was supposed to strike yesterday, the initially scheduled first day of classes. Members were also seen preparing for the strike on YEA's social media post.
Superintendent Chris Woods messaged the family and staff on Monday, September 2, awaiting YEA members’ decision.
“Yelm Families and Staff,
We are extremely pleased to inform you that Yelm Education Association (YEA) and the district have reached a tentative agreement. YEA members will vote on Tuesday, September 3, to ratify the agreement. If the vote is approved, we will start school on Wednesday, September 4. Kindergarten will begin September 9. This will be a regular, full-day schedule; and late start begins on September 18. We will send out a message tomorrow afternoon when we get confirmation on the ratification vote.
“What to Expect:
We want to thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time and ask that you help us thank both bargaining teams for their time and effort to reach an agreement. Our focus now is on helping our students and staff have a terrific start to the school year.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school or the district office.
Sincerely,
Chris Woods
Superintendent”
Teri Melone, YCS Communications Director, also informed The JOLT that the union ratified the tentative agreement at its meeting yesterday, September 3.
“We are pleased to announce that the Yelm Education Association (YEA) membership ratified the 2024-2027 agreement. We will be starting a full day of school Wednesday, September 3 [4]. Kindergarten will begin on Monday, September 9. We want to again thank the district and YEA bargaining teams for their collaborative efforts which positively impact our students and staff,” Melone’s email stated.
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JHermes
Congrats to Yelm. After several years of an obstructionist administration that basically refused to bargain every summer, going up until the day before school, this year, North Thurston district teachers had a tentative agreement early in summer, with big improvements in the way that student discipline will be handled for the benefit of students and teachers focused on joyful and productive learning.
Credit goes to the efforts of the union, our new superintendent, and the school board.
It was such a relief to learn that we had mutual agreement and a 3-year contract.
Teachers don't want to strike. Good going to Yelm colleagues for reaching agreement.
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