Multiple sources told GV Wire on Wednesday morning that Fresno Unified leaders and the Fresno Teachers Association have struck a deal on a new three-year contract.
Negotiators for both sides worked until 5 a.m. to get the deal done, and to avoid the district’s first teachers strike since 1978.
A source within FTA said that trustee approval was expected to be a “mere formality.” Sources additionally credited Superintendent Bob Nelson with winning the trust of union negotiators.
Nelson confirmed that an agreement had been reached at 11:39 a.m.

Very thankful for the tireless efforts made on both sides of the table. #Collaboration https://t.co/9etqUCoOpO

— Bob Nelson (@BobNelson_FUSD) January 17, 2018

The agreement, which must be approved by the Board of Trustees and FTA members, includes raises and the district taking on a greater percentage of healthcare costs.
In addition, there will be “side agreements” in which the district promises to address teacher concerns over class sizes, discipline and special education programming.
UPDATE — 11;43 a.m.
A 1 p.m. news conference has been scheduled at Ann Leavenworth Elementary School, 4420 E. Thomas Ave., to discuss the agreement.
UPDATE — 11:57 a.m.
Here is Fresno Unified’s news release:
“Fresno Unified School District and Fresno Teachers Association are pleased to announce that they have reached a tentative agreement on the successor agreement resolving all outstanding bargaining issues.
“Now that a tentative agreement is signed, the next step is for each of the parties to ratify the agreement.  The Fresno Teachers Association is tentatively scheduled to vote on ratifying the successor contract as soon as possible. Once FTA has approved the successor contract, the District Board of Education will have an opportunity to ratify it.
“The District and FTA look forward to working together in utilizing their partnership to foster student achievement.”