Belle Vernon Area teachers won’t strike, reach new contract
BELLE VERNON (AP) – School is still out in the Belle Vernon Area School District in Western Pennsylvania, but not because its teachers are on strike.
The teachers’ union and school board reached a tentative contract agreement about 1 a.m. Tuesday, averting a strike that was supposed to begin later in the day. Instead, both sides will catch up on their sleep and the first day of school will be Wednesday.
Details of the contract weren’t immediately available. The contract covers approximately 160 teachers, guidance counselors and others. They had been working without a contract for about 17 months and voted in May to strike if a new deal were not reached by the beginning of this school year.
Teachers and the school board will vote to ratify the tentative agreement on Sept. 21.