Northwest Regional ESD (ESD) and Northwest Education Association (NWEA) met on April 13, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to approximately 7:30 p.m. for a scheduled licensed bargaining session. 

Proposals Exchanged

The ESD provided initial proposals on the following articles:

• Article 1 - Recognition
• Article 2 - Status of Agreement
• Article 4 -  Grievance Procedure
• Article 16 - Rights of Members
• Article 17 - Complaint Procedures
• Article 19 - Member Evaluation
• Article 22 - Vacancies, Transfers, and Job Postings

NWEA provided initial proposals on the following articles:

• Article 8 - Paid Leave
• Article 9 - Unpaid Leaves of Absence
• Appendix A – Salary Schedule

NWEA provided a counter proposal on Article 19 - Member Evaluation.

Tentative Agreements 

The parties reached tentative agreement on the following articles:

• Article 2 - Status of Agreement
• Article 17 - Complaint Procedures

Discussion Summary 

The session included productive discussion focused on contract language, bargaining process, and overall agreement structure.

The parties began working through several articles to clarify existing language and identify areas for potential revision. In some cases, this included discussing how current provisions are implemented in practice and whether updates would improve clarity or consistency.

NWRESD introduced proposed language in Article 22 reflecting a three-year agreement. The parties also discussed the sequencing of bargaining, with shared understanding that some articles can be addressed earlier in the process, while others—particularly those with financial implications—will require additional review as part of the full proposal package.

Throughout the session, both parties asked clarifying questions, discussed intent behind proposals, and identified areas for follow-up. The conversation reflected a collaborative approach and a mutual commitment to working through the contract in a thoughtful manner.

NWEA and the ESD began the process of bargaining a successor contract to replace the 2023-26 contract that is set to expire on June 30, 2026. The first meeting focused on bargaining process and outlined expectations moving forward.

• The first ground rules bargaining session was held on April 1, 2026.
• Both NWEA and the ESD came prepared with draft ground rules for bargaining.
• During the session, the two teams worked collaboratively to merge the drafts into a single set of proposed ground rules.
• The parties tentatively agreed on these ground rules, which establish the terms and structure for bargaining.

The agreed-upon ground rules will be formally implemented at the next bargaining session:

• Thursday, April 15, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.

Importantly, the ground rules reflect a shared commitment to transparency:

• Bargaining sessions will be open to the public.
• All sessions will be virtually streamed by the ESD, allowing interested staff to observe the process.

At this stage, the focus of bargaining has been on establishing how we will work together, rather than on substantive contract proposals. However, all contract articles for negotiations shall be presented no later than the second substantive negotiations meeting on April 28, 2026. Updates will be shared as the process progresses.

Thank you to the bargaining team members. These representatives are named on the licensed bargaining page on nwresd.org.