Gov. Jared Polis announced a deal has been struck between the Sheridan School District and Sheridan Educators Association that could get students back into the classroom as early as Monday.

“I urge both sides to officially ratify the agreement quickly to avoid further delay,” Polis said in a statement. “These students have already missed critical classroom time, and each of them deserves a great education and to be back in school.”

The union has been on strike since April 1.

At 17 days, Sheridan’s educator strike is the longest in more than four decades.

“We agree that the highest priority is getting students and teachers back into classrooms as quickly as possible, and we are thankful that both sides have reached an agreement,” Sheridan School District Superintendent Gionni Thompson said in a statement. “We share the governor’s urgency in moving forward toward swift ratification to avoid further delays and ensure students return to a stable, consistent learning environment in which each student can thrive.”

The district has remained open during the strike.

Officials declined to say how much attendance dropped during the strike.

Teachers — who had been threatened with losing their health care benefits — had been providing instructional time at the Englewood Rec Center.

The Polis administration spearheaded discussions at the Capitol on Thursday.

The union is expected to ratify the agreement today.

“To every Sheridan educator who has been part of this: we have set the standard for what it means to fully enfranchise our community, and to make sure educators can unionize and have the dignity they deserve in their workplace,” Kate Biester, SEA president, said in a statement. “While this entire process has been incredibly difficult, I want to say unequivocally that the challenge has been worth it.”

The Sheridan School Board is expected to vote on the agreement on Tuesday. 

With the strike having stretched into the longest in 45 years, it captured the attention of Polis and the state legislature, which is considering a bill that would consolidate Sheridan with Denver Public Schools.

DPS declined to comment on the proposal.