Smaller Class Sizes Part of St. Paul Teacher Deal

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - St. Paul teachers have won agreements on lowering class sizes and hiring more support staff in their tentative contract agreement.

The St. Paul school district and the teachers union released details of the two-year agreement Monday.

Reports say teachers will get a 2.25 percent raise in the first year and a 2 percent boost in the second year, with a bit more for veteran teachers. That will cost the district $22 million over two years.

The deal was reached last week after a 24-hour mediation session, averting a strike authorization vote.

Teachers and the school board will vote on the tentative agreement next month. The executive board of the teachers union is recommending teachers vote to accept the agreement.