The Lake Washington School District (LWSD) and Lake Washington Education Association (LWEA) recently concluded their contract negotiations with a new agreement taking effect on September 1, 2021. The contract negotiation process was closely monitored by both parties, with a focus on ensuring that the agreement benefits both the educators and students.

One of the key highlights of the new agreement is a salary increase for all LWEA members. Teachers and other employees will receive a 3.1% increase in their base salary. This salary increase aims to provide the educators with a more competitive and livable wage and encourage them to continue their vital roles in the education system.

Additionally, the contract also includes increases in health care benefits for LWEA members. The district will carry over $1300 per month for each employee`s health care premium, which will eliminate most of the monthly premium required from the staff.

Another critical change in the new agreement is the reduction of the workload for elementary teachers. The contract seeks to ensure that elementary educators have adequate time to spend on planning, grading, and communicating with parents, which are all crucial aspects of their work. With this new provision, elementary teachers will be able to spend more time on their essential work and avoid burnout.

The agreement has also added provisions to provide additional support to new teachers. The contract will offer a mentorship system that will be particularly beneficial for new educators. These programs will provide new educators with training and guidance on how to navigate the system and teach effectively.

The new agreement has also addressed the issue of class sizes, with the provision that the district would prioritize hiring additional teachers in case of enrollment increases. This provision aims to ensure that the district can provide smaller class sizes because statistics show that smaller classes have shown to have better academic performance.

Most importantly, the agreement includes a renewed focus on equity and inclusion. With the ongoing pandemic, economic uncertainty, and social unrest, there are issues that require sensitivity and understanding from educators. The renewed focus on equity and inclusion will ensure that all students, regardless of their background, are supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.

In conclusion, the LWSD-LWEA contract reflects a collaborative process that aims to improve working conditions for educators and learning environments for students. This contract promises to bring about essential changes to benefit both parties and continue to provide quality education to the students in LWSD.