Paraeducators, bus drivers, and other support staff in Evergreen Public Schools ratified a new contract Sept. 11 after 17 days on strike. Not a teachers strikeParaeducator Rachel Rice said many community members were unaware of what support staff do in the schools and assumed the strike was another teachers strike. Evergreen School District teachers backed up the striking support workers. Being on strike at the same time as Evergreen school employees provided an opportunity to build community. Thayer said Evergreen members joined La Center picket lines, and La Center members joined Evergreen picket lines.