Seattle teachers approved a new two-year contract last night, prompting the following elated text from school board president Kay Smith-Blum:

Yippee. Love our teachers secretaries counselors nurses librarians fiscal agents therapists etc etc etc. they are the greatest so appreciate the work they do everyday!!

Drama averted. And while the contract wasn't everything the teachers wanted (in fact, it wasn't a lot of things), at least they can take comfort that management appreciates them.

The final deal reflects a compromise on what was being discussed late last week. Teachers get a touch more money, but extend the official workday for elementary school teachers (as if most of them don't already work unpaid overtime already). The union also didn't get the concessions it wanted on teacher evaluations, but the district agrees to negotiate changes over the next two years.

In any case, happy first day of school, Seattle!