Lakeville school district, teachers union reach tentative contract agreement
Teachers had been without a renewed contract since July 1
By Aaron Vehling, Thisweek Newspapers
A lengthy contract dispute between the Lakeville teachers union and the school district could be over.
The school district and teachers reached a tentative deal on Wednesday, Jan. 11, after months of disagreement over health insurance and the amount of time set aside for class preparation.
Neither union President Don Sinner nor Director of Administrative Services Tony Massaros would comment on the specifics until after teachers and the school board have voted on the contract. However, both sides indicated they were pleased with the outcome.
“The goal of both the School Board and the teachers union was a fair and fiscally responsible settlement,” Massaros said. “I believe that’s what we have here.”
Sinner concurred.
“We know the financial situation of the district. We wanted to be reasonable,” he said. “We think it’s fair and equitable for both sides.”
The agreement comes after months of often public discord between the negotiating parties. Over the course of several School Board meetings teachers would turn out and advocate for their cause, highlighting the work they do for the district’s students. The board, district administrators and union representatives had met on several occasions since early fall to secure an agreement but to no avail.
The union, Education Minnesota Lakeville, will hold a vote on the contract on Jan. 23 and 24. The board will vote at its evening meeting on Jan. 24.
Vehling is at aaron.vehling@ecm-inc.com or www.facebook.com/thisweeklive.
