South St. Paul Schools approves teacher, principal contracts with 2% raises
The South St. Paul Public Schools Board unanimously approved new labor agreements for teachers and principals on November 24, providing 2% annual salary increases through 2027. The board also greenlit four new high school courses and took steps toward a potential school building bond election in May 2026.
The school board voted 6-0 to approve a two-year contract with the South St. Paul Teachers Association covering July 2025 through June 2027. The agreement includes 2% salary increases each year, increased longevity pay, and language updates. Teachers had already ratified the deal on November 4. Board Director Cummings praised the agreement, saying it honors teachers who "are on the front lines to improve the lives of students across our district."
The board also unanimously approved a similar contract with the South St. Paul Principals Association for the same period, which includes 2% annual raises, increased longevity pay, and a 403(b) retirement match. Principals voted to approve the agreement on November 19.
In other action, the board approved four new high school elective courses designed to meet state requirements and expand student learning opportunities: Arabic Language and Culture, Latino Studies, Bilingual Podcast for Packer Community, and Introduction to Ojibwe. Principal Oaki and instructor Natalie Tortlet explained the courses align with the district's "Packer Pathways" initiative and real-world learning goals. Each course will run if at least 22-25 students register.
The board also authorized Superintendent Dr. Zambrino to submit information to the state Department of Education by December 23 regarding potential school building bonds for a May 2026 election. The projects would address critical maintenance needs—including HVAC, electrical, and plumbing upgrades—identified in a 2022 facility study. Director Cummings stressed the urgency, noting that delaying maintenance increases costs due to inflation. The board requested a detailed project list and communications plan before any ballot measure.
Additionally, the board approved nine district policies covering governance, ethics, and student welfare; a student teaching agreement with Concordia University; and received a $1,130.70 donation from Wakakota Federal Credit Union to support the high school's career and entrepreneurship program.
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Votes (6)
Approval of District Policies
Moved by W. Felton [2025-11-24T07:27:00] · Seconded by T. Felton [2025-11-24T07:27:00]
Nine district policies were presented for approval. Policies 532 and 905 (Advertising) had their initial review in September and full board review in October. The other seven policies were reviewed by the policy committee in November and had minor changes, mostly updated legal citations. The policies covered areas from board governance (minutes, ethics, conflict of interest) to student welfare (medication, disability non-discrimination) and facility use.
Approval of South St. Paul Teachers Association Collective Bargaining Agreement
Moved by W. Felton [2025-11-24T07:27:45] · Seconded by T. Felton [2025-11-24T07:27:45]
Charlie Cook, Executive Director of Human Resources, presented the tentative agreement for the contract period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The agreement, which includes 2% salary increases in each year, increased longevity, and language updates, had already been approved by the teachers on November 4th and fell within the board's established parameters. Director Cummings praised the agreement for supporting front-line teachers.
Approval of Principal Association Collective Bargaining Agreement
Moved by W. Felton [2025-11-24T07:28:30] · Seconded by T. Felton [2025-11-24T07:28:30]
Charlie Cook presented the tentative agreement for the South St. Paul Principals Association for the contract period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The agreement, which includes 2% salary increases in each year, increased longevity, and a 403(b) match, was approved by the principals on November 19th and aligned with the board's parameters. The board expressed overall support.
Approval of 2025-26 Student Teacher Agreement with Concordia University
Moved by W. Felton [2025-11-24T07:29:15] · Seconded by T. Felton [2025-11-24T07:29:15]
The board considered and approved an agreement with Concordia University for student teacher placements for the 2025-26 school year, starting in April 2026. This agreement is necessary to finalize specific student teacher placements and aligns with the district's student teaching Policy 437.
Authorization to Submit Information to Commissioner of Education for School Building Bonds for May 2026 Election
Moved by W. Felton [2025-11-24T07:29:30] · Seconded by T. Felton [2025-11-24T07:29:30]
Dr. Zambrino requested authorization to submit project information to the Department of Education by December 23rd for review and comment regarding potential school building bonds for a May 2026 election. He explained this is a procedural step for funding crucial maintenance projects (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) identified in a 2022 facility study. Director Cummings stressed the urgency, noting that delaying maintenance increases costs due to inflation, and requested a detailed project list and communications plan be presented to the board before the ballot.
Approval of New High School Courses Proposal
Moved by W. Felton [2025-11-24T07:31:00] · Seconded by T. Felton [2025-11-24T07:31:00]
Principal Oaki and Natalie Tortlet presented four new high school elective courses: Arabic Language and Culture, Latino Studies, Bilingual Podcast for Packer Community, and Introduction to Ojibwe. They explained these courses align with 'packer pathways,' real-world learning, and new state requirements for ethnic studies and American Indian language offerings. Board members lauded the innovative approach, noting the courses' potential to attract students and enrich education. The administration confirmed courses would run if enough students (22-25) register, with counselors assisting students if a course doesn't proceed.
Notable Quotes (8)
the school district has reached a tenative agreement with um South St. Paul Teacher Association for the contract period of July 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 2027. South St. Paul teachers voted in favor of the proposed contract on Tuesday, November 4th.
ensuring that we are supporting our teachers is very important. And so I just wanted to um congratulate both um you um Charlie as well as um as well as our teachers union um for coming up with an agreement that will honor their work as they um really are on the front lines to improve the lives of of students across our district.
the school district has reached a tenative agreement with the South St. Paul Principles Association for the contract period of July 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 2027. Um the principles voted in favor of the proposed contract on Wednesday, November 19th...
this just allows us to submit potential projects to the Department of Education who needs to review those comments and review those projects to make sure they're in line with uh MDE policy, state statute, etc.
we have some wonderful um well also historic facilities here at South St. Paul um that are in need of maintenance and every time um and if we wait um the more we wait the less projects we're going to be able to do. Um inflation is too high. Um but construction inflation is even higher.
every year we ask our teachers, what are some things that we could do differently uh to help our our students uh meet our packer pathways, the tri district caps programs or engage in real world learning, empower them uh and continue to empower them.
as part of the um new standards within the state um for social studies um ethnic studies is a requirement that all districts offer e an ethnic studies course in their high school.
the another state requirement um is that there for uh districts that have at least um 100 uh American Indian identifying students um that we start offering some sort of language
Ordinances & Resolutions (34)
Federal law guiding specialized instruction for students with disabilities.
Legislation supporting students with disabilities and related supports.
Plans driving special education services for students age 3-22.
Plans for early intervention services for students birth to age 3.
Framework for providing academic and behavior interventions at different intensity levels.
State legislation guiding literacy implementation and training.
Required training offered by the state for educators teaching ELA standards.
Foundational literacy program used in K-2, highly aligned with the READ Act.
Tier 1 curriculum used in elementary grades (K-5) for literacy.
Literacy program paired with Wit and Wisdom in grades 3-5.
Companion program to Wit and Wisdom, implementing for the first time in middle school.
Approved universal screener for reading, used in K-1 (Early Reading) and 1-5 (CBM reading), and 2-12 (aReading).
New dyslexia assessment to be piloted in grades 4-5 for high-risk students.
School Board Minutes policy.
Code of Ethics policy for school board members.
Conflict of Interest, School Board Members policy.
Criminal or Civil Action Against School District School Board Member, Employee or Student policy.
Overdose Medication policy.
DNR DNI Orders policy (Do Not Resuscitate / Do Not Intubate).
Student Disability Non-Discrimination policy.
Use of Peace Officers and Crisis Teams to Remove Students with IEPs from School Grounds policy.
Advertising policy.
Development, Adoption, and Implementation of Policies policy (second reading).
Student Medication and Telehealth policy (second reading).
Contract for July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2027, approved by teachers on Nov 4th.
Contract for July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2027, approved by principals on Nov 19th.
Agreement for student teacher placement beginning April 2026.
Student teaching policy.
Proposed financing mechanism for facility acquisition and betterment.
Comprehensive study identifying necessary facility projects.
New high school elective course.
New high school elective course fulfilling state ethnic studies requirement.
New high school elective course.
New high school elective course fulfilling state American Indian language requirement.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Student Services Department Overview
Wakakota Federal Credit Union Partnership
READ Act Implementation
High School Course Offerings
District Facilities and Maintenance Bond
Collective Bargaining Agreements
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