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Back In Class: Medford Teachers Return From Strike

Opsis Architecture

Striking Medford school teachers returned to their classrooms on Monday, the first day back after a two-week strike.

The teachers' union and the district reached a tentative contract agreement Friday night.  Teachers struck on February 6th over a variety of issues involving pay, benefits, and working conditions.

The Medford Education Association--the union--and the district report reaching agreement on a contract that both sides can live with, but won't make either side entirely happy.

The contract itself is set to run for three years; MEA was seeking a two-year deal.

MEA members and the school board must still ratify the contract.  A union vote is expected later this week, while the school board canceled a regularly schedule meeting Monday.  The board may meet later in the week, pending the outcome of the union vote.

Geoffrey Riley is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has hosted the Jefferson Exchange on JPR since 2009. He's been a broadcaster in the Rogue Valley for more than 35 years, working in both television and radio.