With parents and students breathing a sigh of relief after a tentative deal was announced in the long-standing teachers’ strike, many British Columbians are wondering what comes next.
No terms of the deal have been made public, and mediator Vince Ready said the government and teachers’ union would meet later Tuesday to finalize some outstanding details.
So when will schools reopen? Two things have to happen first.
The deal needs to be ratified by both parties. For the BC Teachers’ Federation, that means a union-wide vote, which will take place Thursday, Sept. 18.
Then it is up to school boards to work with teachers to get classrooms ready and prepare administrative details ready, such as registration records and class schedules.
According to Mike Lombardi, vice-chair of the Vancouver Board of Education, the new deal may include an actual date for when teachers will return to work.
Lombardi said the board would do whatever it takes to expedite the preparation of schools.
The Ministry of Education will provide ongoing updates on the agreement, the vote and the start of classes on a special website.
With files from CTV Vancouver's Nafeesa Karim and CTVNews.ca.
