PPS Bargaining Update - April 13, 2023
April 13
Today, we met with the Portland Association of Teachers' (PAT) bargaining team at the Dr. Matthew J. Prophet Education Center. Portland Public Schools brought counter proposals on two articles, and PAT brought a counter proposal on three articles.
We spent the bulk of our time together hearing testimony from educators who are addressing the rising mental and behavioral health and social emotional needs of our students. We agree with PAT about the need to provide comprehensive supports, and we also recognize that students’ needs are growing.
But many needs have grown, as has the cost of operating our district at current levels. State revenue is not keeping up with our costs, and one-time special funds are ending. We are faced with a finite amount of money and we simply are not able to fund many priorities at the level they deserve. That was the nexus of disagreement – not the value of or need for educators to do this vital work.
You can watch the first session here, the second session here, and the third session here.
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Supporting documents
- Letter to the PPS Community: 23-24 Budget and Bargaining Implications
- PPS Proposals
- PAT Proposals
- Tentative agreement
- Article 5