First day of school for Evergreen district students still up in the air as classified workers strike continues

Class didn’t start today in the Evergreen school district, and it remains unclear when it will as classified employees continue their strike.

Teachers, students and other supporters joined striking paraeducators, bus drivers and maintenance staff outside Hollingsworth Academy near the district office in east Vancouver. Union members also picketed at Illahee Elementary School and Wy’east Middle School today.

The first day of school, originally scheduled for Aug. 26, was delayed by the school board until today in hopes of reaching a contract agreement. The classified union’s contract expired Saturday. Union members and district administrators started bargaining in March.

The district will send a message each day around 4 p.m. to employees and students’ families with an update about the s