District, Teachers Reach Contract Agreement

After a lengthy negotiation process, the St. Louis Park School Board and the teachers' union agreed to a new contract on Monday night.

As a result, the district will pay 5.5 percent more in total teacher salaries and benefits over the next two years, said assistant superintendet Bob Laney. While teachers with less academic training will see smaller annual increases than in the past, those that pursue more schooling—such as a master's degree and higher—will stand to see bigger incremental bumps.

The contract replaces a previous two-year deal, which had expired in July.

Both sides acknowledged that last summer's state shutdown, which cast , slowed down negotiations.

"Our teachers have a clear understanding of the financial problems we face and are trying to work with us as much as they can," Laney said.

Laney added that though it was a long negotiation process, it ultimately went well.

"It was a great group to work with," he said of the teachers' negotiation team.

Ann Jurewicz, president of the Park Association of Teachers, also said the process was fairly smooth.

"They were very respectful," she said.

However, Jurewicz said the deal is far from perfect for local teachers.

"It still isn't getting us to cost of living increases," she said.

Jurewicz said negotiations did break off for a time in October, and teachers did consider going to a "work to rule" state, meaning they would have only worked their specific, contracted hours—nothing before or after school.

But negotiations resumed earlier this year, Jurewicz said, and progress was made. She added that teachers never seriously considered a strike while talks went on.

"A strike is always a last choice," Jurewicz said. "It's not good for kids."