Oregon City Teachers Demand Better Pay and Safer Classrooms at School Board Meeting

Educators pack meeting ahead of contract mediation with district over long-running negotiations.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:28am

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph in warm tones depicting the blurred silhouettes of people in a crowded room, conceptually representing the emotional atmosphere of a school board meeting where teachers are advocating for improved working conditions.As Oregon City teachers demand better pay and safer classrooms, the emotional tension of their long-running contract dispute with the district is captured in a hazy, impressionistic scene.Oregon City Today

Educators in the Oregon City School District turned out in force at Monday's school board meeting, demanding better pay and safer classrooms. The Oregon City Education Association, which represents over 400 teachers, has been bargaining with the district for more than a year and is seeking a 4% cost-of-living adjustment as well as limits on class sizes and consistent behavior management rules across schools.

Why it matters

The meeting was the last chance for union members to speak directly to the school board before state mediation over the contract negotiations, which have dragged on for over a year. The union says teachers' pay in Oregon City is second-to-last in the Portland metro area and Clackamas County, and that student behavior issues have worsened since COVID-19, creating an unsafe environment.

The details

The union is seeking a 4% cost-of-living adjustment, as well as limits on class sizes and consistent behavior management rules across schools. Teachers say student behavior issues have escalated since the pandemic, with some reporting having items thrown at them and desks being flipped. The district says it is facing a $7-$9 million budget shortfall next year and must balance limited resources with staff needs.

  • The school board meeting was held on Monday, April 14, 2026.
  • State mediation over the contract negotiations is set for April 22, 2026.

The players

Asha Sandhu

Vice president of the Oregon City Education Association.

Stephen Tokarski

High school teacher in the Oregon City School District.

Kate Fisher

High school science teacher in the Oregon City School District.

Dayle Spitzer

Superintendent of the Oregon City School District.

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What they’re saying

“Some of our folks have been with the district for a very long time and in their memory, negotiations have never taken this long. So, we're at a point where we're feeling very frustrated.”

— Asha Sandhu, Vice president, Oregon City Education Association

“Long story short, things have just gotten so much worse since COVID. Students are coming in with so many more behavior challenges and emotional disturbances and issues, and it's creating an unsafe environment for them and for staff.”

— Stephen Tokarski, High school teacher

“I don't have a lot of student behavior where I feel unsafe. But I do know some of my elementary colleagues are having things thrown at them, they are having students that are not well regulated and they're flipping desks.”

— Kate Fisher, High school science teacher

What’s next

State mediation over the contract negotiations between the Oregon City Education Association and the Oregon City School District is set for April 22, 2026.

The takeaway

The ongoing contract dispute between Oregon City teachers and the school district highlights the challenges educators are facing in the post-pandemic era, with increased student behavior issues and limited resources to address them. The union's demands for better pay and safer classrooms reflect the need to support teachers and ensure a quality education for students.