District 742 Teachers Approve New Contract

ST. CLOUD -- St. Cloud teachers have voted to accept a new, two-year contract agreement with District 742. The contract covers the 2017 through 2019 school years.

For the coming school year the new contract includes step increases for teachers and coaches and no percentage increase on the regular or extracurricular salaries. However, teachers that have worked for 20 years or more in the district would see a $500 per year pay increase.

For the 2017 - 2018 school year the district also plans to front more of teachers family’s health insurance bill by changing the district’s contribution from $978 to $1007, an increase of $29. The 2018 - 2019 changes include step increases for teachers and coaches, a one-percent increase on salary schedule, and no changes to the district's insurance contributions.

For both school years the contract calls for three duty days to be taken off the calendar.

In a statement provided to WJON, Mary Broderick, President of the St. Cloud Education Association says they take both sides of this vote seriously.

"This was a different kind of tentative agreement, and it was a difficult vote for many. We had a great voter turnout and take seriously the message sent by both yes and no votes. We are committed to moving forward with those thoughts in mind."

The next step is for the school board to approve the new contract at their meeting Wednesday.