Rochester Public Schools and Teachers Union Strike Tentative Deal

Rochester Public Schools and Teachers Union Agreement

• Tentative Agreement Reached: Rochester Public Schools and the Rochester Education Association have reached a tentative agreement for a two-year contract, pending approval from the school board and union members by September 23.

• Financial Commitment: The district will allocate an additional $22.1 million towards teachers' pay and benefits over the contract period, resulting in a total expenditure of $165.8 million for the 2026-27 school year.

Key Features of the Contract

• Labor Management Committee: The contract will establish a committee focused on addressing class sizes and will provide stipends for special education teachers and licensed school nurses as part of a pilot program aimed at tackling staffing shortages.

• Importance of Tracking: Superintendent Kent Pekel emphasized the need to monitor the pilot program's effectiveness in improving hiring and retention in hard-to-fill positions.

Negotiation Process

• Efficiency Compared to Previous Cycle: The current negotiation process concluded much faster than the previous cycle, which extended into March 2024. This agreement was reached after only seven meetings, primarily during the summer.

• Methodology Shift: The parties employed "interest-based collective bargaining," allowing for continuous dialogue at the negotiating table, contrasting with the traditional method of separate caucusing. A mediator from the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation facilitated the discussions.

• Positive Reflection on Process: REA President Vince Wagner noted that the collaborative approach this year helped overcome communication barriers that hindered previous negotiations.