Bend-La Pine Schools and the local chapter of its support staff union, Oregon School Employees Association, reached a tentative contract agreement after eight months of bargaining Wednesday night.

The Oregon School Employees Association represents about 900 clerical staff, bus drivers, custodians and others. Staff had been working without a contract since June.

The agreement included a 6.3% salary increase as of July 2023, and a 4.25% increase starting in July. The district’s health insurance contribution will also increase by $55 per month as of October 2023 and $40 per month starting in October. 

The proposed four-year contract will now go to union members for ratification and then to the school board for approval, likely in late February or early March, said Scott Maben, communications director.

There was a definite sense of relief in the room after the full-day negotiation session Wednesday, he said.

Union President Debbie Christian said in a district press release, “Though hundreds of hours of time spent in preparation and at the bargaining table have been important and at times challenging conversations, we believe we have achieved steps towards the classified priorities.”

The union will have two question and answer sessions with members before the ratification vote, which is scheduled for Feb. 21, Christian wrote in an email.

Negotiations will reopen in spring 2025 regarding salary and insurance for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. Bargaining teams will also have the opportunity to revisit two other topics each.

The educators’ union, Bend Education Association, reached an agreement with the district last week.

Union and Bend-La Pine Schools reach tentative contract agreement