MPS says district, union closer to agreement; makeup days to extend deeper into June
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Late Tuesday, Minneapolis Public Schools released a statement claiming the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers “returned a counter proposal that was $20 million more costly than their previous proposals, bringing the difference between MPS and MFT proposals now to $167 million.”
“Union leaders are aware of MPS’s financial parameters and tonight the district made a last, best and final offer to MFT with the hope of reaching agreement,” the statement said.
The Minneapolis Federation of Teachers posted a response on Facebook, saying the union “has not interacted with the ESP chapter since they sent their Last Best Final on Saturday.” The post added the district “MPS sent MFT Teacher Chapter a Last Best Final offer at 7pm tonight. This was the exact proposals that they had sent over around midnight last night.”
An earlier version of this story is below.
Tuesday marks the eleventh day of missed class for students in Minneapolis Public Schools as the teachers strike continues.
The district and educators have yet to reach a deal that would put students back in the classroom.
An update from the district late Tuesday morning said the negotiations team, as well as Superintendent Ed Graff and Kim Ellison, the chair of the MPS Board of Education, are continuing negotiations Tuesday after they worked past 1 a.m. Monday night. The district’s statement said the discussions held Monday moved them closer to an agreement with the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT).
According to the MFT, the two sides have moved closer, but adds the district’s latest offer isn’t good enough to end the strike.
“We haven’t gotten what we have needed all these years, and I am kind of excited that things are moving. But also worried because of our kids, we’d rather be in the classroom,” said Mary Brownrigg, a teacher in the district.
The MFT says it is still fighting for the right contract language during their negotiations, such as making resolutions permanent, and not temporary.
Teachers are also asking for more competitive pay beyond what the district is offering.
Meanwhile, educational support staff (ESPS) negotiations seemed to have stalled, with school leaders saying they are sticking with its last and best offer for ESPS.
RELATED: District puts forth ‘final offer’ for Minneapolis Public schools support staff
The district has offered an overall wage increase, $6,000 in bonuses and more opportunities for hours.
“The top priority of MPS, teachers and ESPS have been to pay the ESPS – which are some of the lowest paid employees – a wage that better represents the value they bring to our schools,” said Ellison, the Chair of the MPS Board of Education. “We have put more than $20 million on the table for the ESPs consideration. This offer provides ample resources for the ESP negotiating team and MPS to finalize the specifics.”
Minneapolis Public Schools says this last offer for the ESPS does mean they will have to cut around $10 million in other areas for the next school year.
The district also tells families they can expect school to go longer into June, as students in Minneapolis are now below the state’s minimum instructional time by six days. Any calendar change will have to be voted on by the school board.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke with teachers Tuesday morning who said they would like to get back to class and be with the students, but added they are ready to take this as far as it needs to go.
“We are really prepared for the long haul like we know that it is possible we may be going into April, losing health insurance and everything, but we are prepared to show up for each other and show the support we can,” said teacher Johnathan Wharton.
Teachers picketed Tuesday morning across the district, and a news conference was held at 10:30 a.m. You can watch the news conference below.
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This is a developing story, check back for updates.