The 1,700 teachers in the Kent School District will have the chance to vote Monday morning on a tentative contract agreement announced in the middle of a rally attended Sunday night by hundreds of teachers, parents and supporters in downtown Kent.
The president of the Kent Education Association, Lisa Brackin Johnson, made the announcement after information about the settlement was whispered into her ear. She appeared surprised but pleased.
The crowd erupted in cheers, tears and hugs. A number of education associations from around Western Washington sent delegations with banners to show support for the Kent teachers.
Approval of the contract would mean that about 3,700 Renton-area students who attend schools in the Kent School District will begin the school year on Tuesday. Classes in the Kent School District were originally scheduled to start on Aug. 31.
The teachers would go to their classrooms Monday after the contract is approved. The KEA meeting is at 8 a.m. Monday at Kentlake High School, where the details of the agreement will be outlined.
By returning to the classrooms Monday, the teachers and the KEA will avoid the potential for having to pay hundreds of dollars in fines for defying a court order to return to the classroom.
Negotiations have been under way for months.
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