A tentative agreement announced early Thursday morning between Minneapolis Public Schools and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers looks to avoid a teachers strike.
Details of the tentative agreement were not shared in the email sent out by MPS, but they will be shared publicly once MFT Teacher Chapter members vote to ratify the contract.
“We worked together collaboratively in service to the students of Minneapolis Public Schools and reached an agreement that we are both proud of. Our time today was incredibly productive, and we believe it is a new day for MPS.” said President Greta Callahan.
On Wednesday, MFT announced it would hold a strike authorization vote on both Thursday and Friday after 18 hours of negotiations failed to produce tentative agreements.
The union added that the district had not improved its salary offer since the two sides negotiated on April 4.
“As we keep our students at the center, we worked together to reach an agreement that honors the hard work of our licensed staff and recognizes our budgetary constraints. We look forward to continued partnership” said Superintendent Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams.
District leaders maintained throughout the negotiations that MPS was facing a budget deficit of at least $110 million and that to use additional funds to settle contracts would result in further budget cuts.
“As we keep our students at the center, we worked together to reach an agreement that honors the hard work of our licensed staff and recognizes our budgetary constraints. We look forward to continued partnership” said Superintendent Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams.
MFT has not announced when it will vote to ratify the contract.
ESPs begin strike vote Thursday
Education support professionals meanwhile began voting Thursday on whether to authorize a strike against the Minneapolis Public Schools.
“We’re happy for our teacher colleagues, but our negotiations with the district are going too slowly,” said Catina Taylor, president of the ESP chapter. “The district offers so far do not respect our contributions to the education of Minneapolis students.”
ESPs are focused on raising their pay to the point where full-time educators won't need a second job to live in Minneapolis, according to the Minneapolis Federation of Teahers.