The second negotiations meeting for Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) and Saint Paul Federation of Educators (SPFE) was held on Thursday, Oct. 12, to discuss the next contracts for Teachers, Educational Assistants (EAs) and School and Community Service Professionals (SCSP). 

SPPS shared a presentation about the budget for the current fiscal year as well as a preview of the projected budget shortfall for FY25. Due in large part to the expiration of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds in September 2024, SPPS anticipates a minimum $150.3 million shortfall for the 2024-25 school year. Click here to view the full budget presentation, as well as the average salaries and total cost for each SPFE position.

After the budget discussion, SPPS asked about SPFE’s request to participate in an RFP for group health insurance in 2024. SPPS responded with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for SPFE to commit to entering into the district-sponsored health insurance plan that would begin Jan. 1, 2025.

SPPS presented proposals regarding health insurance and wage increases for all three groups. These proposals included increases in the district’s monthly contribution to all groups’ health insurance, as well as cost of living increases (COLAs) of 1-1.5%. 

These proposed increases are in addition to the average 3% step and 4% lane increases that licensed educators receive for longevity (steps) and additional education (lanes). To further support educator recruitment and retention, an additional 1% increase was proposed for certain steps and lanes, and the 25-year longevity step would be replaced with a $1,200 increase at the 20-year step. All three proposals can be found on the proposals page.

SPFE presented nine more proposals that covered health and life insurance, a mentor mentee program, Tier 1 and 2 licensed educator support, winter break and paid holidays for EAs, multilingual EA work day, teachers as substitutes, and seniority credit and paid conference days for SCSPs. These proposals will be added to the proposals page along with the first 10 proposals that were presented in September.

At this time, no counter proposals have been submitted, and no proposals or MOAs have been accepted by either SPPS or SPFE. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 26, at 5 p.m. at SPFE headquarters (23 Empire Drive).