Bend-La Pine Schools note ‘significant progress’ in 2 days of teacher contract talks; both sides request state mediator

(Update: Adding video, Isabella Warren report)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Two more two day-long rounds of teacher contract negotiations for Bend-La Pine Schools made "significant progress" on several issues, the school district said Tuesday. But with another day of bargaining set for next week and much left to resolve, both sides agreed to call in a state mediator to try to help them reach a deal and avert a walkout.

Here is an update received Tuesday from Bend-La Pine Schools Director of Communications Scott Maben:

"The Bend Education Association and the District’s bargaining team negotiated for eight hours Friday and 10 hours Monday. The teams made significant progress and announced four more contract issues on which they reached tentative agreements. Another 10-hour bargaining session has been scheduled for January 29 to continue the work.

"At the conclusion of Monday’s session, the parties announced they would jointly request a state mediator to help them reach a mutually acceptable negotiated agreement. The request will be submitted to the State Conciliation Service of the Oregon Employment Relations Board.

"Over the past two days of bargaining, the teams reached tentative agreements on:

• Reduction in Force and Recall (Article 10)
• Learning Environment (Article 18)
• A Memorandum of Agreement addressing supervision duty for school counselors
• A Memorandum of Agreement addressing curricular overnight trips and the District's 5th grade Outdoor School program

"The parties have yet to reach agreements on these remaining issues:

• Association Rights (Article 2)
• Professional Improvement (Article 6)
• Leaves (Article 7)
• Benefits (Article 12)
• Compensation (Article 13)
• Work Year (Article 15)
• Work Day/Teaching Hours (Article 16)

Bend Education Association President Sarah Barclay provided this statement to NewsChannel 21 Tuesday night:

"The BEA team is frustrated that the decision had to be made to call for mediation but hopeful that pulling in a mediator will help us reach a fair contract that establishes improved learning and working conditions for students and educators sooner rather than later.

"We will continue working with the District to reach a fair agreement while the steps are taken for the Employment Relations Board to assign a mediator. We have scheduled our next full day bargaining session for Monday, January 29th."