PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Weekend-long negotiations in the ongoing Portland teachers strike did not reach a deal, although progress on one of the biggest sticking points was made.
Representatives from Portland Public Schools and the Portland Association of Teachers continued efforts all weekend to break the stalemate, specifically concerning class sizes and planning time.
On Saturday, PPS spokesperson Will Howell said the two sides were talking about planning time “and we’re hopeful we can square them away through continued conversation.”
Howell said they will keep negotiating “until we get a deal.”
At a press event Monday morning, PPS Chair Gary Hollands shared that the two parties were very close to a settlement that both sides agreed on, however, there was a sticking point for the board involving “parents having the ability to make educational decisions about other people’s children.”
Howell later clarified Hollands’ statement saying that the board agreed on increased cost of living decisions, as well as planning time, special education and mental health support agreements, but said that the “core obstacle to our arriving at a conceptual agreement,” was the parent’s decision-making abilities.
There won’t be any classes for PPS students this week. Beyond the strike, students already had the week off for the Thanksgiving break.
The Portland teacher’s strike began on November 1.
KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.
