CLATSKANIE, Clatskanie School District’s bus drivers, custodians, cooks, educational assistants and office staff have a new two-year contract: 3 percent raises in each of the next two years, a new top step on the pay scale, and a district insurance contribution of $2,000 a month, according to the agreement posted on the district’s website.
The school board approved the contract with Oregon School Employees Association Chapter 53 unanimously at a special meeting held by Zoom on Sept. 30, according to the district’s minutes. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned at 5:38 p.m. The contract was the only action item, approved on a motion by Katherine Willis, seconded by Megan Evenson. The agreement runs Oct. 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028.
What Is in It
- Raises: a 3 percent cost-of-living increase to the wage schedule for 2026-27 and another 3 percent for 2027-28.
- A new Step 9: the pay scale gains a ninth step, 3.75 percent above Step 8. Employees already at Step 8 and eligible for advancement move up immediately. Steps remain 3.75 percent apart.
- Longevity pay: an extra 50 cents an hour after 10 consecutive years with the district and another 50 cents after 14, retroactive to July 1 for those already eligible.
- Insurance: the district pays $2,000 a month toward OEBB health plans in 2026-27 and $2,050 in 2027-28 for anyone scheduled 20 or more hours a week. Employees covered elsewhere can opt out and take 30 percent of that amount in cash. Each employee also gets a district-paid $100,000 life insurance policy.
- Substitute pay: an educational assistant with a substitute teaching license who is assigned to cover a classroom is paid at the district’s certified substitute rate for those hours.
- Call-back: employees called in outside their shift are guaranteed two hours’ pay.
- Translators: a $2,000 annual stipend.
What the Jobs Pay
Starting hourly rates under the 2026-27 schedule, Appendix A of the contract: cook $18.68, educational assistant $19.52, bookkeeper or administrative assistant $20.28, custodian $22.67, bus driver $23.13, maintenance $24.19, mechanic $27.49. At the new Step 9, a bus driver makes $31.06 and a mechanic $36.91. The 2027-28 schedule adds the second 3 percent: a starting bus driver at $23.82, a starting custodian at $23.35.
The Meeting
Board members present Sept. 30 were Kara Harris, chair, Evenson, Ian Wiggins, Merlyn Thompson and Willis. Superintendent Danielle Hudson, Board Secretary Shannon Emerson and Business Manager Tasha Myatt also attended, with one guest. The contract’s signature page is dated Sept. 30 and signed for the union by chapter president Lisa Jauron and OSEA field representative Niko Aberle, and for the district by Hudson and Harris.
The district’s teachers settled earlier; a 2026-29 agreement with the Clatskanie Education Association is also posted on the district’s contracts page.
The board’s next regular meeting was set for Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m., followed by an executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(i), the provision that allows a closed session to evaluate an employee’s performance unless that person asks for it to be public. Minutes of that meeting were not posted as of Thursday.