The Bainbridge Island School District and its classified workers union reached a tentative agreement for a new contract at their second mediation meeting Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Both teams will update the text of the old contract, which expired on Aug. 31, 2015, with the proposed changes and review the text to make sure each side is satisfied that it represents the agreed upon terms.

The Bainbridge Island Educational Support Professional Association will then hold a ratification meeting to explain the provisions of the new contract to its members before they vote on the new agreement.

BIESPA President Mike McCloud said he is confident that union members will ratify the new agreement.

The goal is to present the ratified contract to the school board at its next meeting on Thursday, Jan. 28, at which point the board will vote on whether to accept the contract.

If approved, the contract will be retroactive to Sept. 1, 2015.

McCloud declined to detail the terms of the new contract until it has been approved by both sides.