Schools
St. Michael-Albertville Teachers, School District Approve Two-Year Contract
A 1 percent salary increase over each of the next two years is included for teachers and professional staff.
St. Michael-Albertville teachers and District 885 have come together on a contract agreement for the 2013-2015 biennium.
Educators had been working most of this year without a contract, as negotiations again lingered into the current school year.
According to district information, teachers will receive a 1 percent increase in salary each of the next two years, with step movement also included in pay increases for teachers who advance from year to year.
Teachers also negotiated for better benefits, including health insurance, bringing the total cost of the package to about an 8.25 percent increase across the board, according to Superintendent James Behle.
Behle and Board Chair Douglas Birk stated the negotiations process was constructive, and newly used "planning sessions" helped the two sides forge an agreement.
St. Michael-Albertville participates in the state's Q-comp (quality compensation program), which rewards teachers who get positive performance reviews.
The contract was ratified by both the teachers' union and the school board prior to the holiday break.
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