Camas Education Association members voted to approve a potential strike Monday night, with 95.7 percent of the 393 members in attendance at a general membership meeting voting in favor.

The strike will only start if there is no new salary schedule for teachers in place by the first day of school, scheduled for Sept. 4. Mark Gardner, lead negotiator for the district, was optimistic the two sides could reach a deal before the start of the school year.

“We’re not very far apart in terms of the total package cost,” he said.

There are more than 7,000 students in the district, according to the most recent numbers from the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Teachers were told to continue preparing for the school year as though it will start on time, and Gardner said back to school night and other similar events will go on as planned.