The Pullman School Board decided to make collective bargaining negotiations public on Jan. 25, despite concerns of educators with the Pullman School District.

After six days, a press release regarding Public Access to Collective Bargaining Negotiations was released by the Pullman Paraprofessionals Union. All employee contract negotiations are now open to the public starting Jan. 31 at the first public bargaining session between the district and the Union, according to the press release.

The Pullman School District became the first school district in the state to retain such a resolution that would make more transparency and accountability between the community and school board, according to a Washington Policy Center blog.

“I just think it’s important that everyone knows what’s going on,”school board member Susan Weed said to the Washington Policy Center.

In relation to many other school districts across the nation, Pullman suffers under inadequate funding and its effects. This resolution does not address such issues, according to the press release.

Paraprofessionals Union President Yelonda Wilke and Teachers Union Vice President Rena Mincks voiced their opposing opinions on behalf of the district’s educators at the Jan. 25 meeting, according to the press release.

The press release stated the officials rejected the resolution in other jurisdictions like Grays Harbor County, or has led to legal challenges in communities like Lincoln County.

Lincoln County commissioners were the first in the state to accept this resolution, according to News Tribune article.

Reporting By Rosemarie Blume