Oregon Public Broadcasting

The long saga of Portland Public Schools custodians is over, for now.  Monday night, the Portland School Board narrowly approved a new contract for almost 500  custodians and cafeteria workers.

The district fired the custodians in 2002, but a Supreme Court ruling forced the district to offer them their jobs back four years later.

The new three-year agreement  includes cost of living adjustments each year, but there is a price freeze, and an overall reduction of total staff.

Board co-chair Dan Ryan was thrilled with the decision, and likened the long dispute to a divorce.

Dan Ryan: "This is the right time to come together and vote yes on this contract that I do believe has compromises on both sides.  And therefore we are doing the right thing for kids and we are being as efficient as possible with our funds."

The vote was 4-to-3.  Board member Trudy Sargent was one of those who opposed the contract.  She said it reduces staff and will ultimately cost the district more money.

The new contract runs through 2010.