Mediation Update

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and the Minneapolis Federation of Educators (MFE) are aligned on values and goals for negotiations, but we do not have the resources to meet the union’s full requests. MPS remains committed to reaching an agreement quickly that works within the resources we have available and avoids a strike.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, MPS proposed a comprehensive offer to settle all three contracts that is student-centered, fair, and substantially addresses the union’s priorities within available resources.

See translated versions below

The MPS Offer to Settle includes the following:

• ESPs
  • Lump sum payments of $750-$1,750 for every ESP in both contract years
  • A steady and predictable paycheck via paid winter, spring, and MEA breaks (14 paid non-duty days)
  • Continued vacation accrual for all ESPs
  • Increased longevity pay 
  • In addition, the ESP contract already provides automatic annual increases of 2.5%

• Birth to 22 Teachers
  • Average reduction to K-12 class size contract caps of 11% across the district
  • Mandatory special education caseloads that comply with (and sometimes exceed) Minnesota law
  • Accelerated salary growth by removing 10 steps from the schedule where there previously was no annual increase
  • Salary increase of 1% to every step in both years of the contract
  • In addition, the teacher contract already provides automatic annual increases ranging from 1.19% to 10.8%

• Adult Education Teachers
  • Pay parity with Birth-22 Teachers beginning in school year 2026-27
  • Accelerated salary growth through removal of 10 steps where there previously was no annual increase
  • Salary cost of living adjustment increase of 1% to every step in both years of the contract

MFE passed an updated proposal at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 that is beyond available resources. Upon initial review, MFE’s updated proposal...

• Increases MPS proposed elementary class size caps in order to make reductions at the secondary level 
• Presents class size caps that cost approximately $6 million more than the MPS class size cap proposal
• Requests substantial salary increases for teachers and salary increases and lump sum payments for ESPs, costing approximately $56 million over the life of the contract

MPS is in the process of closely analyzing MFE’s updated proposals and looks forward to continuing to work with MFE to reach an agreement.

Current MPS Proposals