Woodland school district, teachers union agree to one-year contract extension

A one-year contract extension between Woodland Elementary District 50 and the union representing the district's 720 teachers and support staffers was ratified by both sides this week, the organizations announced in a joint statement on Friday.

The existing contract was set to expire at the end of June. According to the statement, both sides agreed that pursuing a one-year contract rollover with slight modifications was mutually beneficial. It is the second year in a row that both sides have agreed on a one-year extension.

Not much will change when the one-year contract extension begins in July. The minimum teacher salary in the district will now be $34,576, an increase from $34,254. State law requires minimum teacher salaries to increase to $40,000 by 2024.

Middle school science teacher and union President Sharon Anday said the teachers and support staffers were grateful for the support of the school board through the challenges of the pandemic.

"If we have learned anything this year, it is the importance of flexibility and being resourceful when the landscape is constantly changing," Anday said. "We have built this relationship on solid ground with common values and our members look forward to continuing this work on behalf of our Woodland students."

School board President Carla Little thanked the union for emphasizing teamwork and flexibility.

"It is more important than ever for our staff and community for Woodland D50 to start the next school year with a solid contract in place," Little said. "I am confident that this contract supports the interests of our learning community as we plan for the future."