After over two years of organizing and months of deliberation, the Renton coaches and Renton School District have reached an agreement, and the union (American Federation of Teachers) voted unanimously to accept the school district’s offer on Aug. 25.

According to Hazen High School coach Buddy Ryan, the leader of the organizing effort, the contract doesn’t have everything the coaches were wanting. But it is a massive step in the right direction, he said.

“This was a vast improvement from what we had for decades. Better pay, job descriptions, job protections and much more,” Ryan said in an email to the Renton Reporter.

The Reporter has requested more information about the details of the agreement.

Ryan has been working tirelessly for two years trying to get better working conditions and compensation for coaches like him. He can finally say that work has paid off.

“We would like to thank all the RSD coaches, parents and everyone else who supported us during this process. It took almost two years to get to this point so we’re happy to be working with the school district to make a better place for the coaches to help the kids,” Ryan said.

Fall sports also began on Aug. 25, with football starting back on Aug. 20.

Renton and Lindbergh’s first athletic contest is a cross country meet on Sept. 4 at Bellevue High School. Hazen has a boys golf match, girls cross country and volleyball on the road at Newport High School, all on Sept. 4 as well.