PORTLAND, Oregon — The Portland Association of Teachers has announced PPS Teachers will officially strike on Wednesday after a deal with the Portland Public Schools was not reached.
Many Lincoln High students say they’re for teachers fighting for what they want — better pay and smaller class sizes.
"Most of my classes are over 30 students, and it's a lot of stress on my teachers I can see,” said Wei Lainathan, a senior, “so I do agree with the terms of the strike.”
A strike will leave 45,000 students out of the classroom. Most students KGW spoke with on Tuesday support their teachers and are looking forward to a break from school.
"I'm feeling pretty okay about it. I've already submitted my college applications, so it's a big stress off my shoulders,” said senior Sophia Halperin. “I honestly feel fine, if not a little happy about it, because we’re not going to have school.”
But some are nervous about missing class time, especially those high school seniors who have yet to apply to college.
"I'm not a big fan of it,” Crystal Roberts said. “Because our grades are due on Thursday, but now, they're pushed to Tuesday, and I have college [applications] due today ... so I have to do both of them at the same time."
Portland Public Schools and the Portland Association of Teachers have been bargaining for a new contract since January. Teachers are asking for better pay, more time with students and smaller classroom sizes — and many students agree.
PPS STRIKE FAQ FOR PARENTS: What's open, what's not
"Our classroom sizes are huge,” said Roux Grade, a junior. “Honestly, I think there are some teachers who I have never had one-on-one time with them because it's such a big class size, so I definitely think that is something they should be pushing for.”
Jacque Dixon, the vice president of the Portland Association of Teachers, said PPS needs to see students at the center and give teachers what they're asking for.
"And if they want to do right by our families, they need to come to the table with something that's acceptable not only for educators but acceptable for our families,” Dixon said.
“So, you don't think you guys are asking for too much?” asked KGW’s Daisy Caballero.
“No, absolutely not," Dixon replied.
The district says the union's proposal would cost more than $220 million dollars above their current offer, which they say is simply not feasible, adding that unless they get more funding from state leaders, they must work within their financial means.