Pasco teacher contract’s missing signatures reflect continuing tensions

Word that the new Pasco teachers contract has yet to be signed, despite the school board’s recent unanimous approval, raised concerns among teachers this week.

Greg Olson, president of the Pasco Association of Educators, said he told union members during a Monday meeting that the leadership was waiting on some final copies of the two-year contract before signing it. And some union members took that to mean the district hadn’t signed the document, either, leading to concerns about the delay.

But district officials said Tuesday that board President Ryan Brault, Superintendent Saundra Hill and Assistant Superintendent Sarah Thornton, who negotiated for the district, signed the documents after the recent board meeting. Now, they’re waiting for leaders with the Pasco Association of Educators to come in and sign as well.

“(Thornton) met with (union representatives) Monday and there’s no indication they won’t sign,” said district spokeswoman Leslee Caul.

And union President Greg Olson confirmed with the Herald on Tuesday, “It will be signed tomorrow.”

Tensions are still high in the district following the teachers strike that delayed the start of school by nine days to Sept. 15, requiring the district to shorten winter break later this year and keep students in school into mid-June.

Though teachers approved a tentative contract on Sept. 14, the school board didn’t vote on the deal until a special meeting Sept. 29, a week later than originally anticipated, fueling speculation the district would back out or seek changes.

Olson said its important that people remain diligent about the contract, and that includes questioning himself and the district about its implementation.

But worries triggered by confusion over the document’s signatures is indicative of the damaged relationship between the union and the district, Olson said.

“Our emotions are running really high, and we need to come back down,” Olson said, noting the relationship won’t heal overnight but people need to not jump to false conclusions.

This story was originally published October 6, 2015 at 8:49 PM with the headline "Pasco teacher contract’s missing signatures reflect continuing tensions."