Page 10 - Ed Graff News Today

Between pay gaps, the pandemic, growing class sizes and legislative directives, “the pressure on teachers right now is so formidable,” one expert said.

If class-size caps are adopted in Minneapolis, similar to a recent deal with teachers in St. Paul, the Twin Cities districts will be the first in the state to limit on the number of students in their classrooms by way of contract language.

Over the last two days, the St. Paul Federation of Educators reported that it had ratified a contract with the city’s school district, while SEIU 284 announced that it had reached a tentative agreement for 200 food service workers in Minneapolis Public Schools.

Friday marked the ninth day classes were canceled by the strike.

With higher wages, caps on class size, and mental health support being the huge sticking points, Minneapolis teachers hit the picket line for yet another day.

Educators and district officials in Minneapolis continue negotiations, with the district saying Wednesday progress is being made.

Board members have been in some mediation sessions to talk about specific issues, and others have spent recent days waiting at district headquarters to be on hand if needed.

Mediation sessions are scheduled to resume at noon; both sides said some progress was made this week.

The head of human resources at Minneapolis Public Schools has resigned after 12 years with the district, MPS announced Thursday.

MPS and its food workers came to a tentative agreement on a three-year contract, just days after giving its 10-day notice to strike if a deal couldn't be reached.