Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Education News
The Associated Press

Contract talks resume for striking St. Paul teachers

Teachers and staff picket at Harding High School.
Teachers and staff picket at Harding High School on Wednesday, the second day of a St. Paul teachers strike.
Tim Nelson | MPR News file

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The St. Paul school district and its teachers union are resuming contract talks while striking educators continue to walk picket lines and classes are canceled for a third straight day Thursday.

The union announced Wednesday night that talks would resume Thursday morning. District spokesperson Kevin Burns said the talks did resume and were continuing late Thursday afternoon. The district has canceled classes Friday for a fourth consecutive day.

“We are ready to start negotiating to get a contract that won’t leave any student or educator behind,” said Nick Faber, president of the St. Paul Federation of Educators. “St. Paul educators miss their students and want to get back to school.”

The St. Paul Federation of Educators is striking over demands for additional mental health, multilingual and special education support staff. The walkout was the first for the district since 1946.

Superintendent Joe Gothard said the $50 million in demands are cost prohibitive.

Burns said school officials have prepared a new proposal for mediation, but did not disclose details.

Union leaders said they've been waiting for several days for district leaders to respond to a scaled-down proposal that reduces and stretches out increased staffing over multiple years to give the district flexibility in budgeting.

The union expected thousands of members to resume picketing outside public schools across the city Thursday. Negotiations began last May between the union and the district. The two sides broke off talks about 3 a.m. Tuesday after six days of mediation.