VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN) – As most students head back to class, educators with Evergreen Public Schools (EPS) are trading in their pencils for the picket line as workers are poised to strike Tuesday.
Hundreds of teachers, staff, and parents held a rally outside EPS District headquarters in Vancouver Monday ahead of what would have been the start of the 2025-26 school year.
However, on Friday Aug. 22 EPS administrators voted to push back the start date until at least September 2, as the district navigates negotiations with the Evergreen Chapter of Public School Employees of Washington SEIU Local 1948 (PSE).
School administrators keep close eye on temperature
The union, which represents more than 1,400 specialized support staff including paraeducators, bus drivers, security officers and maintenance workers, told KOIN 6 News its members have been fighting for a fair contract since March 2025…