School will start as scheduled Tuesday in Mead School District .

After around 90 hours spent at the bargaining table the past two weeks and a total of 18 meetings since May, the district and staff union Mead Education Association have reached a tentative agreement on a new teaching contract. The agreement averts the possibility of a teacher strike, authorized by union membership on Thursday.

In the meantime, students will return to school for the first day Tuesday. Union president Toby Doolittle said his members are eager to welcome kids.

“They’re just really excited to start the school year; they’re going to have a lot of energy,” he said.

A statement from the district Superintendent Travis Hansen reflected similar relief .

“We know the uncertainty of the last couple of days has been

See Full Page