ANOKA, Minn — Educators in Minnesota's largest school district have approved a contract for the 2023-2025 school years, putting an end to the lengthy mediation process.
Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota (AHEM) and the district finally came to a tentative agreement in January, after the contract expired last June.
“We are grateful to our members for showing up and saying that we needed investments in our schools, students and educators,” said AHEM President Val Holthus in a press release. “Our work is not done. As is always the case in negotiations, we didn’t get everything we wanted, but we got a lot, and this contract includes important building blocks to reach the schools Anoka-Hennepin communities deserve.”
KARE 11 reached out to the Anoka Hennepin School District Friday morning. This story will be updated once there is a response.
Here's the breakdown of the contract, from an emailed release from AHEM.
Starting salaries will be upped to $50,000. Salaries will be also increased 5% for the 2023-2024 school year and 3% for 2024-2025.
The district will up health insurance contributions 5% for single and family filers in 2023-2024, and 5% for single and 10% for family in 2024-2025. There will also be an increased payout of sick days upon retirement and increased 403(b) contributions.
The new contract will increase pay for elementary art, physical education, music, media and CORE teachers who have large class sizes, or additional sections. Educators who teach early childhood and family education, adult basic education, or substitute teach during their lunch and prep time will also receive pay raises.
The district will also increase pay for special education teachers who work outside hours to complete paperwork.
There will be a $750 bonus for all educators this year.
"The district is the one in charge of their budgeting and we did our research to know that our contract demands were within their fiscal capacity. They said yes to this tentative agreement and the parameters," said Holthus in a release.
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