The Bellevue School District and the Bellevue Education Association (BEA) reached a tentative agreement today on a new contract to start the 2011-2012 school year. The agreement comes one week before the start of school and means classes will start on Sept. 6 as scheduled.
“We are thrilled that the two sides have reached this two-year tentative agreement,” said Superintendent Amalia Cudeiro. “Our goal was to reach a contract that was beneficial for students and honors teachers and we feel this agreement does that. We are not releasing further details at this time in order to allow BEA and its members to discuss the tentative agreements at their general membership meeting tomorrow night.”
Michele Miller was out of the office Tuesday afternoon, but the BEA website said that the association was “happy to announce” that it had reached reached the compromise, and emphasized the importance of all BEA members attending tomorrow’s meeting at Odle Middle School.
“Both the District’s bargaining team and BEA have worked long hours on this new agreement that will better support students, teachers and parents,” School Board President Chris Marks said. “I know we’re all excited to start school.”
Mandatory BEA meeting information:
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 31
Sign-in: Starts at 3:20 p.m.
Meeting starts: 4 p.m.
Location: Odle Middle School gym, 14401 NE 8th, Bellevue.
Who Can Attend: Any BEA member, or any non-member who becomes a member on-site. “It is important that every BEA member make the effort to attend this critical meeting.”
Driving/General Parking: Everyone else needs to carpool. There is parking in the nearby school lots of Sammamish, Stevenson, Lake Hills and Cherry Crest at Bellwood, which are a short walk to Odle.
Alternative Parking: If you are unable to find parking at one of the above options, the Lake Sammamish Foursquare Church has offered the use of its lower parking lot. Their address is 14434 N.E. 8th St., Bellevue.
Member Verification Tables: Only BEA members are permitted into the General Membership meeting. When you sign-in, you will receive an information packet. You must have this information packet to enter and leave the gym at anytime before and during the meeting. Non-members will have a line where they can sign-up to become a BEA member.
Gym Seating: Seating is by school. Your Information packet has a seating chart for the gym, and there will be signs on the walls to direct you. The first person from your school in your section should start waving a pre-made sign with your school name. Ushers will be available to provide assistance in finding your section.
Voting: You must be in the gym to participate in any voting which may occur.
