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New concept in deciding teacher pay

Published (3/11/2011)
By Kris Berggren
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Advocates of HF269 say the contract determination method it recommends is good for teachers and students. Opponents say it amounts to a wage freeze for teachers and inhibits collective bargaining.

Rep. Keith Downey (R-Edina), the bill’s sponsor, told the House Education Finance Committee March 8 the bill is based on the “qualified economic offer” concept. Very simply, if a school district offers teachers a biennial contract including a total compensation increase equivalent to the increase in district funding from the state, teachers cannot strike. Total compensation would include benefits. Teachers could strike for non-economic reasons.

The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. Its companion, SF250, sponsored by Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont), awaits action by the Senate Education Committee.

“We see this as a pro-teacher bill,” said Jim Bartholomew, education policy director with the Minnesota Business Partnership. He said a key reason for frequent program cuts and teacher layoffs, especially of younger teachers, is that school boards have consistently settled contracts for more than their revenues allow. “From our perspective the current negotiation structure doesn’t work, and students are suffering because of it.”

Several DFL members said the bill is one of several in play that would unfairly limit teachers’ rights.

“The idea about preventing strikes is smoke and mirrors. This is about honest collective bargaining and restricting it,” said Rep. Linda Slocum (DFL-Richfield).

“I want to know if your caucus has had discussions on collective bargaining restrictions and if that’s a serious caucus position,” said Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville).

Committee Chairman Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington) said nobody in the room was authorized to speak for the majority caucus, but noted the alternative licensure law signed by the governor contains a restriction on collective bargaining.

Downey said the concept would “only (be) invoked if the district can’t come to an agreement and wants to be protected from having to offer an increase greater than what the state has offered that particular district.”

The bill would expand the concept to all district employee groups, and it excludes a district’s fund balance from the calculation of the settlement.

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