Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis teachers, support staff ratify two-year contracts with significant pay increases
Minneapolis educators approved a pair of two-year contracts Friday that will give teachers and support staff the highest pay raises they’ve seen in years.
For the Minneapolis school district’s teachers, the salary hikes — 4% this year (retroactive to July 2023) and 5% in the next school year — amount to the biggest pay increase in 25 years, according to a statement from Greta Callahan, president of the teacher chapter of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers. She said the contract will draw new teachers to the district and slow their move to nearby districts offering more pay.
According to the federation, the contract for education support professionals (ESP) includes a large pay increase and the restoration of “steps” to retain educators. “We’re creating a compensation system that recognizes the value of experience in the district,” said Catina Taylor, president of the federation’s ESP chapter.
According to a news release issued Friday night by the federation, both teachers and support staff voted “overwhelmingly” to ratify the contracts, which now go to the school board for final approval.
It’s unclear how the contracts might affect the 2024-25 school district budget, now projected to show a $110 million deficit. But district officials have said the deal meets board-approved budget parameters.
The vote, which was held Wednesday through Friday, came before a strike authorization vote by teachers. The ESP charter had already voted to authorize a strike. Negotiations on the contracts took about 10 months.
Education Minnesota officials have said that teachers in the state are seeing their biggest pay hikes in 20 years. As of May 1, average salary increases were 4.3% this year. St. Paul teachers struck a two-year contract in March that includes a 4% raise next year and a fixed increase of $3,500 retroactive to January.
Annual teacher pay in Minneapolis this year ranges from about $49,000 for a starting teacher with a bachelor’s degree to about $107,000 for the most experienced and educated instructors. Next year, that salary range would be $54,000 to $112,000.
The scene of the crash at 26th Avenue North and Emerson Avenue North in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis woman was sentenced for her role in a deadly crash that killed two women and injured two other people in December 2024.
READ MORE: Minneapolis woman charged in fatal high-speed crash faces additional charges
Woman sentenced in fatal Minneapolis crash
Big picture view:
Prosecutors say Teniki Steward drove a Buick Enclave into a bus shelter and a Ford Explorer after speeding through a red light.
Both of the women in the Ford Explorer died in the crash. They were identified as 53-year-old Ester Jean Fulks and 57-year-old Rose Elaine Reece.
During the crash, the Ford Explorer went off the road, injuring a 17-year-old boy who was waiting for a school bus.
The passenger in Steward’s vehicle also suffered injuries.
Minneapolis police said that Steward was also injured in the crash.
Steward pleaded guilty to multiple murder charges.
What they’re saying:
During the sentencing, the daughter of one of the victims had a statement read on her behalf:
“There’s nothing that can truly prepare you for the moment your entire world is taken from you. Losing my mom has left a pain in my heart that words will never be able to explain.”
What’s next:
Minnesota law requires that Steward serves at least two-thirds of her sentence, a bit under eight-and-a-half years, in prison.
Fatal Emerson and 26th crash
The backstory:
According to the criminal complaint, through surveillance videos from the scene of the crash and witnesses, investigators learned that Steward, driving the Buick Enclave, had been driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Emerson Avenue North.
Before the fatal crash, Steward sped through the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North, running a red light and nearly causing a crash, the charges said.
Steward then continued to speed northbound down Emerson Avenue North, and ran another red light at 26th Avenue North, hitting the Ford Explorer, which was traveling eastbound, according to the complaint.
The Ford Explorer had been at the intersection of Emerson and 26th on a green light.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty shared the following statement:
“This was an egregious act that took Rose and Esther’s lives and injured a child waiting to go to school at a bus stop. Ms. Steward was driving at extremely dangerous speeds on city streets and narrowly avoided multiple collisions before the incident occurred. Third-degree murder charges are appropriate to hold her accountable and protect our community.”
The Source: This story uses information gathered from an Olmsted County court appearance and previous FOX 9 reporting.
A motorcyclist is dead after an early morning crash in Minneapolis Friday morning.
The Minnesota State Patrol said that at 1:20 a.m., a Suzuki Motorcycle going north on I-35W at Johnson Street hit the left side of the median guard rail.
The motorcycle continued north for about another quarter mile before coming to a rest on the right-hand side.
State Patrol said the rider came to rest on the left shoulder. He was later identified as 21-year-old Andrew James Neuberger.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester Spartans boys volleyball team played its second game on consecutive nights. The Spartans beat Minneapolis Camden 3-0.
Rochester’s next game will be Tuesday, April 21, at St. Anthony Village at 7:00 p.m.
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