THE MPS COMMUNICATOR
Issue #2, December 4, 2007
 
Welcome to the second edition of The MPS Communicator. In the previous issue, this special communication was introduced and described as a way to keep you updated on the talks between Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT) regarding the 2007 - 2009 teachers' contract.

During the past week, you may have heard rumors or received misinformation regarding the District's most recent teacher contract proposal. This issue will provide a brief overview of key parts of the District's offer.

The District is proposing to:

 1. Provide a step increase (already instituted in September 2007) and special one-time $1,500 cash payment, pro-rated based on FTE, to teachers for the current school year. A new salary schedule would be put in place with another pay increase for the second year of the contract. There is no proposed pay freeze.

2. Fully cover an amount equivalent to full single health insurance premiums in 2008, and that same dollar amount also would be covered in 2009. Teachers would be asked to pay only any potential increase that might occur between the 2008 and 2009 rates. There is the possibility that there may be no increase at all, depending on how the plan is structured. There is no proposed expectation that teachers would pay the entire single coverage premium.

3. Revise the teacher assignment process to:

• empower site teams to interview and select for vacancies;
• provide staffing flexibility for the superintendent;
• give the superintendent the ability to deviate from teacher layoffs based solely on seniority in order to protect and stabilize educational programming; 
•  provide two-year alternative assignments for teachers affected by layoffs outside of seniority order.

4. Allow for the possibility of an extended teacher day or year, when needed for additional instructional time or for special training, to be paid as direct instruction or staff development, respectively.

5. Raise the salary level for new entry-level teachers. Step movement for all teachers would be based on teacher assessment, as agreed in the previous alternative compensation memorandum of agreement, and lane movement would be based on educational and other achievements related to district and school goals.

6. Double the early retirement notification incentives and move the notification dates back to February/March.  Those teachers who provide early notification will also qualify for retiree health premium reimbursements of $5,000 for each of the first two years and then $3,500 after that.

7. Discontinue the retiree health premium for teachers retiring after June 2008 as a fiscally prudent measure that will affect the budget in fiscal year 2010. 

It is important to note that since talks have moved to mediation, the terms of future proposals by the District or MFT cannot be released to the public in accordance with state law. The MPS Communicator will, however, look at other parts of its proposal and provide more information in future issues.

It is widely understood that the past few years have been difficult ones at Minneapolis Public Schools for all of us, but toughest in many ways for our teachers. Our district is making bold changes and strategic reforms across our system – changes that will help our principals, teachers and schools be the best they can be; bring students back to MPS; and help Minneapolis regain its place among the best educational systems in the state and in the nation.

On behalf of the District, thank you for your interest in this process and the future of Minneapolis Public Schools. The MPS Communicator will address other important topics in future issues. Topic suggestions may be directed to The MPS Communicator in care of communicator@mpls.k12.mn.us.
 

Pam Costain
Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education Chair

Dr. Bill Green
Superintendent, Minneapolis Public Schools