The following editorial appeared in Thursday’s Puyallup Herald.

Unlike some South Sound educators, Puyallup’s teachers headed back into the classroom this week right on schedule.

The agreement supported by 67 percent of the Puyallup Education Association could have netted vastly different results had it not been for the positive tone taken by each side during negotiations. Instead, the school district responded to teachers, librarians, music specialists, nurses and other certified staff members’ request for a closer look at compensation, class size and other education aspects.

No one wanted to see the negotiations end in a strike. A conclusion like that would prove detrimental to the students who are left spinning their wheels while negotiations are worked out, and relationships between administrators and teachers are never the same again.

It’s understandable for Washington educators to express concern about conditions in their schools.

According to the National Education Association, at approximately $46,000 Washington teachers are the lowest paid along the West Coast, about $10,000 below the average. On a national scale, Washington teachers’ salaries have dropped from fifth to 20th over the past 20 years. Here in Puyallup, the new base starting salary that was agreed upon for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree is $38,791. Adequate compensation is an important element of retaining and recruiting great teachers and other staff members.

The Puyallup Education Association also is concerned about classroom sizes. The National Education Association recommends an ideal classroom ratio of 15 students to every teacher. However, there are only four states in the U.S. with classrooms larger than Washington’s.

To help alleviate the pain of overcrowding in classrooms, the Puyallup Education Association and school district agreed to an increased stipend for teachers who teach larger classes. Secondary teachers who teach in overcrowded classrooms will receive more money; elementary teachers will receive additional para-educator time. Because the school district’s hands are tied when it comes to dealing with overcrowding in schools, it’s a wonderful compromise that benefits all parties, including the students who are robbed of time with their teachers.

The education association and school district also decided to invest more in professional development; $200 for the first year and $275 for the second year. Additionally, the agreement will clarify antiquated language about the evaluation process.

Of course the agreement reached by both groups won’t resolve the problems all Washington teachers face, but it does help our community and is a step in the right direction.