The Northshore School District and teachers’ union came to a “tentative” contract agreement on Thursday evening, according to a joint release by the two groups, meaning classes should start as scheduled on Sept. 6.

The contract covers the next three years for the teachers and support staff, the same group which threatened to strike on June 8. Among the more contentious issues were compensation, benefits and training for support staff and school safety.

The district agreed to bargain jointly with the separate teacher and support staff unions on July 26, a move both sides marked as a major “step forward” in the process.

The agreement comes less than a day after teachers packed a school board meeting at the union’s request, and misses the contract deadline by six days.

“This three-year agreement will enable us to provide a solid foundation for the collaborative relationship that will benefit our schools, our students and our community,” said NSEA President Tim Brittell in the joint statement.

Union representatives have spoken highly of the new district superintendent, Dr. Michelle Reid, who took over for outgoing superintendent Larry Francois.

“On behalf of our elected board of directors, I want to thank all of the hardworking professionals involved in this process,” Reid, via the statement. “I look forward to serving and supporting this amazing district and community in the coming years.”

The contract must be ratified by the members of the Northshore Education Association union, a vote scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on Aug. 31 at the general membership meeting at Bothell High School.

The contract for the teachers and the contract for support staff were negotiated together, but the contracts are separate, according to the joint statement. The two groups must ratify the contracts separately.

More details on the agreement will be released following the NSEA meeting on Aug. 31.