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Board approves MOU ensuring Shakopee University credits stack with later graduate degrees
Summary
The board approved a memorandum of understanding clarifying that the district’s Shakopee University professional-development credits will not disappear if a teacher later earns a master's degree; credit totals will stack, giving teachers credit on the district salary schedule for both the master's and Shakopee University credits.
The school board on June 9 approved a memorandum of understanding that changes how Shakopee University professional‑development credits are treated when a teacher later earns a graduate degree.
Superintendent Dr. Tim Redmond described the change as a “course correction” to preserve incentives for the district’s local professional‑learning program, Shakopee University (often called "Shakopee U"). Previously, district staff said, some teachers who completed the district’s 10‑credit Shakopee University lane-change requirement then earned a university master’s degree and found the district‑granted Shakopee University credits no longer applied on top of the master’s for salary‑schedule calculations.
Under the approved MOU, teachers who earn 10 credits through Shakopee University will retain those credits in addition to any subsequently earned master’s credits: a teacher who completes the Shakopee University requirement and later completes a master's degree would have the master’s plus the 10 Shakopee University credits for placement on the local salary schedule. Dr. Redmond and staff said the credits earned through Shakopee University remain usable only within the Shakopee salary schedule and are not transferable to other districts.
The motion to approve the MOU passed by voice vote (motion by Aldridge; second by Peterson). District leaders said the change aims to retain the program’s attractiveness and fairness for staff while aligning incentives with district priorities.
Ending: Redmond said the change strikes a balance between recognizing locally developed professional learning and higher‑education credentials and applauded staff who worked on the revision.
