Anoka-Hennepin teachers accept new contract

Teachers in the Anoka-Hennepin district have voted to accept a new two-year contract.

Eighty-five percent of the teachers who voted agreed to the deal, which was worked out earlier this month with the district. Both sides had been negotiating for almost a year. The school board will vote on the agreement April 28.

The contract includes a $1,000 raise for teachers in the first year, plus an additional one and a half percent raise for teachers with more experience. The second year of the deal gives newer teachers a 1.5 percent raise, and veteran teachers a 2 percent raise.

The union agreed to a cap on health insurance contributions, in return for a guarantee that the district would pay 100 percent of the cost of a new insurance plan starting next year.

Statewide teachers union Education Minnesota says 17 percent of districts are still working out new two-year contracts with their teachers. Salary increases in signed contracts average 1.7 percent in the first year and 2 percent in the second year.

Here are details from the Anoka-Hennepin teachers union press release:

• Teachers will receive a salary increase in the first year of $1,000 plus an additional 1.5 percent for more experienced teachers. In the second year, there is a 1.5 percent increase for newer teachers and 2.0 percent increase for more experienced teachers. This does not include other compensation increases tied to gains in experience and training.

• AHEM accepted a cap on health insurance contributions from the district after the district agreed to guarantee 100 percent of the cost of a plan next year.

• The district agreed to drop a proposal to add an extra step on the salary schedule for younger teachers.

• AHEM agreed to take a portion of its members pay increase as a one-time stipend.

• The district will add a new high deductible health plan with an HRA option next year and include an incentive for those who choose the plan.