"Portland Public Schools and Teachers Union at Impasse, Strike Looms"

Portland Public Schools and the teachers union have reached an impasse in their contract negotiations, increasing the likelihood of a teacher strike starting on October 23. The key issues include cost of living raises, class sizes, teacher planning time, and handling disruptive student behavior. Both sides must present their final offers within a week, and if no agreement is reached, a 30-day cooling-off period will begin before teachers can strike. The union is requesting a 21.5% raise over three years, while the district has offered a 4% raise per year and a $3,000 bonus for special education educators.