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9/29/25 Bargaining Update – Licensed Staff

Bethel School District and the Eugene Education Association (EEA) have scheduled their first mediation session for Wednesday, November 12. Mediation sessions are closed to the public and involve only the bargaining teams, with each session scheduled one at a time. We have been assigned a state mediator, whose role is to assist both parties in working toward resolution. We are optimistic that this process will help us continue making progress toward a responsible contract that supports our students, staff, and the District.

For background, bargaining began on March 11 and has included 11 sessions to date. Under state law, the parties became eligible to enter mediation in August, and at the September 22 session both the District and EEA agreed to jointly request mediation. Mediation is a common step in bargaining, and in Oregon most negotiations are successfully resolved during this process.

Mediation timeline:

  • Mediation sessions likely begin in November
  • After 15 days, either party may declare impasse
  • If impasse is declared: both parties submit final offers within 7 days (publicly posted)
  • A 30-day cooling-off period follows
  • After that, the District may implement its final offer, and the Association may choose to strike

Issues on the table include:

  • Compensation
  • Fringe benefits
  • Extra duty
  • Just cause
  • Academic freedom
  • Extending the SPED stipend to nurses, counselors, and school psychologists
  • Early retirement
  • Class size
  • Term of agreement (both parties are discussing a three-year contract)
  • Joint committees

Both parties have exchanged wage and benefit proposals, and those remain active topics in mediation.

Looking Ahead

Most contract negotiations in Oregon are resolved during mediation without reaching impasse or strike. We are optimistic that, with the assistance of a mediator, a responsible agreement can be reached. We remain committed to working toward an agreement that supports students, staff, and the District. The District will continue to provide updates throughout the mediation process.

Previous Communications

Resource Links

Mediation FAQs

  • Mediation is a standard part of the bargaining process. A neutral state mediator works with both the District and the Association to help identify solutions and move toward agreement. The mediator does not take sides or impose a settlement.

  • Yes. While mediation is underway, the current contract remains in effect. This means no changes for staff during this stage of the process.

  • After more than 150 days of bargaining, Oregon law allows either party to request mediation. Both the District and the Association agreed to this step as a way to continue progress toward an agreement.

  • Mediation timelines vary. After 15 days of mediation, either party may declare impasse. If that happens, there are additional steps, including final offers and a 30-day cooling-off period. In many cases, however, agreements are reached during mediation before these later steps are needed.

  • No. Mediation is a common and routine step in collective bargaining for public school districts across Oregon. Most contracts are settled during mediation without reaching impasse or strike.

 
 
Scheduled Bargaining Sessions
Meeting  Date TAs
1 3/11/2025  
2 4/10/2025 Article 10, 13, 19, School Psych Intern MOA
3 4/24/2025 Articles 1, 3, 24, Green Teacher Leader MOA
4 5/8/2025  
5 5/28/2025 Article 29, PAT MOU
6 6/10/2025 Articles 9, 14
7 6/16/2025 Articles 4, 6, 15, 16, 18, 28, SPED teacher hiring incentive MOU
8 8/26/2025  
9 9/9/2025 Articles 2, 7, 35
10 9/22/2025  

 

A line graph shows trends in total enrollment and staff FTE over time.

Declining Enrollment (2012–2025)

Bethel’s student enrollment has steadily declined since 2012. Because Oregon schools are funded on a per-student basis, fewer students mean less state funding. This decline in enrollment directly reduces the resources available to support staff, programs, and services for our students.

A line graph shows revenue and expenditure history for the General Fund.

Rising Costs and Decreasing Revenue (2016–2025)

Since 2016, Bethel has faced the dual challenge of rising expenditures and shrinking revenue. While revenue has decreased due to declining enrollment, costs continue to rise — driven by inflation and the growing needs of students. This mismatch is one of the biggest contributors to the district’s current financial challenges.