Officials with St. Paul Public Schools and the union representing its teachers will return to mediation as a strike looms. þþIf an agreement is not met, the teachers are set to strike Tuesday. According to a district spokesperson, they will alert parents by 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning, which follows the school board's policy for a weather event. þþOn Monday afternoon, the district proposed an interest arbitration to avoid a strike.þþSuperintendent Gothard said, “I don’t believe a strike is good for anyone, especially our students. I also don’t believe a strike is inevitable, and interest arbitration is a way to ensure kids are in school while the negotiation process continues.”þþThe St. Paul Federation of Educators refused the district's request, arguing decisions should be made by those who are in the classroom.þþÿWe're going to go back into mediation, and it is our responsibility as a bargaining team to work seriously to bring those services and supports our students deserve into our classrooms,ÿ SPFE President Nick Faber said. þþThe district issued a statement Monday night saying it is hopeful the two parties will be able to reach an agreement. þþTalks resumed Monday between St. Paul Public Schools and the union representing its teachers who have threatened to strike Tuesday if a contract agreement cannot be reached.þþNegotiations continued through the weekend between district officials and the St. Paul Federation of Educators.þþSeveral tentative agreements were reached by Sunday night, but there was no significant movement on bigger contract issues, including additional resources for mental health, multilingual and special education.þþÿDistrict leaders don't understand the urgency of these needs. Educators do — we see them every day in our schools,ÿ said Nick Faber, president of the Saint Paul Federation of Educators. ÿOur students can't wait any longer.ÿþþNegotiations resumed Monday with a mediator, union spokeswoman Megan Boldt said.þþDistrict officials said they're trying to be responsive to the union's call for more support staff, but doesn't have the money to pay for all its requests.þþÿI believe our students need more social/emotional support, but any additional resources — above the millions of dollars SPPS currently invests in these positions — have to be targeted where the need is greatest,ÿ Superintendent Joe Gothard said in a statement.þþNegotiations began last May between the union and the district.
Source: kstp.com
