Northwest Regional ESD (ESD) and Northwest Education Association (NWEA) met on June 9, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to approximately 7:00 p.m. for a scheduled licensed bargaining session. 

During the session, the parties exchanged and discussed proposals related to grievance procedures, association rights and privileges, insurance benefits, and provisions relating to students. NWEA prepared some questions to ask regarding the ESD’s initial proposal on Article 20 - Vacancies, Assignments, and Transfers to assist in developing a future counterproposal. 

Proposals Exchanged

The ESD provided counterproposals on the following articles:

• Article 4 - Grievance Procedure   
• Article 5 - Association Rights and Privileges 

NWEA provided initial/counterproposals on the following articles:

• Article 12 - Insurance Benefits
• Article 18 - Provisions Relating to Students

Discussion Summary 

NWEA opened the bargaining session with a counterproposal on Article 12 – Insurance Benefits. The counterproposal was identical to the ESD’s initial proposal and included annual increases of $25 to the monthly insurance contribution during each year of the agreement. Following discussion, the parties reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Article 12.

A TA indicates that both bargaining teams have agreed to the proposed language, subject to final contract settlement, ratification by NWEA members, and approval by the NWRESD Board of Directors.

The tentative agreement includes the following monthly insurance contribution amounts for employees working 1.0 FTE:

Monthly Insurance Contribution for 1.0 FTE

The parties reviewed NWRESD counterproposals on Article 4 – Grievance Procedure and Article 5 – Association Rights and Privileges. Discussion regarding Article 4 focused on grievance timelines, notification requirements, procedural steps, and clarifications intended to support consistent application of the grievance process. Discussion regarding Article 5 included association access, communication practices, release time provisions, and the relationship between contractual association rights and protections provided under state law.

NWEA presented its initial proposal on Article 18 – Provisions Relating to Students. The proposal included a suggested revision to the article title to incorporate staff safety. Discussion included staff safety training, safe work environments, safety committees, student discipline, staff injury, and other provisions intended to support effective educational services for students. The parties discussed the operational and programmatic implications of the proposed language and identified areas requiring additional review.

The parties also discussed Article 20 – Vacancies, Assignments, and Transfers. NWEA did not present a counterproposal during this session and instead asked clarifying questions regarding the ESD’s proposal. Discussion focused on understanding the intent and operational impact of the proposed language to assist NWEA in preparing a future counterproposal.

The parties concluded the session with NWEA proposing September 16, 2026, and September 30, 2026, as potential dates for future bargaining sessions.

Northwest Regional ESD (ESD) and Northwest Education Association (NWEA) met on June 1, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to approximately 7:30 p.m. for a scheduled licensed bargaining session. 

Northwest Regional ESD (ESD) and Northwest Education Association (NWEA) met on June 1, 2026, for a scheduled licensed bargaining session. During the session, the parties exchanged and discussed proposals related to professional growth, insurance benefits, salary, association rights and privileges, and layoff and recall procedures.

Proposals Exchanged

The ESD provided initial/counter proposals on the following articles:

• Article 10 - Professional Development and Educational Improvement   
• Article 12  - Insurance 
• Article 13  - Salary Schedule

NWEA provided initial proposals on the following articles:

• Article 5 - Association Rights and Privileges
• Article 15 - Layoff and Recall 

Discussion Summary 

A substantial portion of the session focused on the ESD’s proposals regarding professional growth, insurance, and salary. The ESD presented a counterproposal for Article 10 – Professional Growth that included increasing the annual tuition reimbursement pool to $50,000 while returning to a standardized reimbursement rate based on the Portland State University graduate credit rate. Discussion included the utilization of professional development funds, equitable access to reimbursement opportunities, and eligibility for reimbursement of professional licenses and certifications. 

The ESD also presented its initial insurance proposal, which includes monthly insurance contribution increases of $25 per month annually during the contract term, along with updates to plan year language and statutory references related to long-term disability benefits. Discussion included healthcare cost projections, insurance reserve levels, and existing contractual protections related to reserve funding thresholds.

The ESD also presented its initial salary proposal, which includes a 2.81% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the 2026–27 school year and a 2.0% COLA for each remaining year of the agreement. The parties discussed budget assumptions, projected revenues and expenditures, insurance costs, and the ESD’s efforts to balance competitive compensation with long-term financial sustainability.

NWEA presented counterproposals on Article 5 – Association Rights and Privileges and Article 15 – Layoff and Recall. Discussion regarding Article 5 included association access to information, release time procedures, use of facilities, communication methods, participation in board meetings, and access to board meeting materials. The parties also discussed operational considerations associated with records requests and staff time required to fulfill those requests. 

Discussion regarding Article 15 focused on seniority calculations, breaks in service, recall rights, and the application of layoff and recall procedures across programs and positions.

The parties concluded the session by reviewing areas requiring additional discussion and identifying priorities for future bargaining sessions.

Northwest Regional ESD (ESD) and Northwest Education Association (NWEA) met on May 19, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to approximately 7:30 p.m. for a scheduled licensed bargaining session. 

The session began with a presentation from NWRESD’s Chief Financial Officer regarding budget development assumptions, projected revenue and expenditure considerations, and financial modeling processes related to bargaining proposals. Discussion included healthcare insurance cost projections, staffing assumptions, scattergram modeling, and factors affecting long-term budget planning.

Proposals Exchanged

The ESD provided initial/counter proposals on the following articles:

• Article 1 - Recognition   
• Article 9  - Unpaid Leaves of Absence
• MOU - Cell Phones

NWEA provided initial proposals on the following articles:

• Article 6 - Working Conditions
  • Appendix C
  • Appendix D
• Article 14 - Payroll Deductions

Discussion Summary 

The parties reviewed NWRESD Article 1 counterproposal language, continuing the discussion regarding bargaining unit definitions, temporary employees, posting timelines, and current operational practices.

Discussion regarding the NWRESD Article 9 counterproposal focused on accepting language change proposals presented by NWEA and the revision of language regarding electronic form availability that would be durable language and not dependent on a specific software platform. 

Proposals from both parties suggested incorporating the current cell phone memorandum of agreement into Article 6 of the contract. The NWRESD proposal consisted of a high level summary of the current memorandum of agreement, adding language that kept flexibility on whether or not employees could choose between the stipend or the cell phone in acknowledgement that advances in technology may impact the use of desk phones and/or communication devices. 

NWEA reviewed their initial language proposals related to payroll deductions, overpayment recovery procedures, and salary schedule placement corrections. Discussion included retroactive correction timelines, employee reporting obligations, and processes for addressing salary schedule misplacement errors.

A substantial portion of the session focused on NWEA’s initial proposal of Article 6 – Working Conditions. The NWEA presentation included workload definitions, caseload considerations, travel expectations, compliance activities, assigned duties, educator-directed workdays, access to student information systems, and equitable access to communication systems for itinerant and site-based staff.

The union explained the proposed workload and caseload committee processes, supervisor oversight responsibilities, and language regarding additional compensation connected to caseload thresholds.

The parties concluded the session by reviewing upcoming bargaining priorities and set the agenda for the following meeting. NWRESD will provide their initial proposal on salary and insurance. NWEA plans to present counterproposals for three articles and an initial proposal for Article 18 - Provisions Relating to Students.

Northwest Regional ESD (ESD) and Northwest Education Association (NWEA) met on May 11, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to approximately 7:10 p.m. for a scheduled licensed bargaining session. 

Proposals Exchanged

The ESD provided initial proposals on the following articles:

• Article 5 - Association Rights and Priviledges 
• Article 20 - Vacancies, Assignments, and Transfers

NWEA provided initial proposals on the following articles:

• Article 12 - Insurance

NWEA provided a counterproposal on the following articles:

• Article 1 - Recognition
• Article 11 - Travel Reimbursement
• Article 16 - Rights of Members 

Discussion Summary 

During the session, the parties discussed Article 1 language related to temporary employees, bargaining unit inclusion, externally contracted employees, and vacancy posting timelines.

The parties also reviewed NWEA’s Article 11 counterproposal regarding travel reimbursement, including mileage reimbursement, home base definitions, overnight travel procedures, scheduling flexibility, and travel-related workload concerns across multiple counties.

Discussion regarding Article 16 focused on member rights, due process language, dismissal procedures, investigatory meetings, and employee representation protections.

NWRESD’s Article 5 proposal prompted discussion regarding Association rights and privileges, including information requests, release time procedures, substitute coverage, participation in ESD meetings, and use of ESD facilities.

The parties also discussed Article 20 language related to vacancies, assignments, transfers, temporary assignment changes, and posting timelines.

Additional discussion occurred regarding healthcare insurance contributions, projected cost increases, recruitment and retention considerations, and the need for continued costing analysis of financial proposals.

Northwest Regional ESD (ESD) and Northwest Education Association (NWEA) met on April 28, 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 11 - Travel Reimbursement  
• Article 15 - Layoff and Recall

The ESD provided counterproposals on the following articles:

• Article 19 - Member Evaluation

NWEA provided initial proposals on the following articles:

• Article 10 - Professional Development and Educational Improvement 
• Article 13  - Salary Schedule 

NWEA provided a counterproposal on the following articles:

• Article 1 - Recognition
• Article 4 - Grievance Procedure
• Article 16 - Rights of Members 

Tentative Agreements 

The parties reached tentative agreement on the following articles:

• Article 19 - Member Evaluation 

Discussion Summary 

The parties presented initial proposals and counter offers during the negotiations session. The parties tentatively agreed to Article 19, Member Evaluation, with the primary updates reflecting the digital resources and processes. 

The ESD proposed an update to travel reimbursement to clarify that staff need a valid drivers’ license and vehicle insurance. Clarification of the meaning merit and competency within the context of layoffs and how seniority dates are established were updated in Article 15 - Layoff and Recall.

NWEA proposed increases to the available funds for conferences and workshops and reimbursement amount, some additional language around process, and language with the intent that the ESD pay all required professional licensure fees. 

The proposed changes to Article 13, Salary Schedule included the following:

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.