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Board approves LPN and sign‑language interpreter contracts with multi‑year pay increases
Summary
The board unanimously approved tentative agreements for licensed practical nurses and sign‑language interpreters, including multi‑year wage increases, longevity adjustments and paid family and medical leave contributions required by new state statute. The LPN settlement includes larger market adjustments to reduce contracted labor costs.
The St. Cloud Public School District Board of Education on Oct. 1 approved two tentative collective bargaining agreements presented by district finance staff: a settlement for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and a settlement for sign‑language interpreters.
"We are super excited that we have 2 contracts for approval tonight," Executive Director of Finance and Business Services Amy Scalarud told the board as she introduced both agreements.
LPN contract (approved) The district said the LPN unit represents 15.59 FTE (approximately 17 employees). Under the agreement presented, year one includes an 8.5% increase in hourly rates for current employees (with a 1% increase for temporary/hourly reserve RNs). The contract adds a $1.25‑per‑hour premium for two district float LPN positions, increases several longevity tiers, and applies the districtwide insurance and paid family and medical leave changes required under the new statute. The district reported the total two‑year cost of the LPN settlement as 11.08%.
School staff noted that a portion of the year‑one increase is a market adjustment intended to reduce reliance on outside contractors, which have been more expensive. The board moved to approve the LPN contract (motion by Al Dahlgren; second by Zach Dorholt); the roll‑call vote was recorded as unanimous.
Sign‑language interpreter contract (approved) The sign‑language interpreter unit was described as 8.15 FTE on paper (eight employees plus some contracted hours). The tentative agreement calls for a 3.5% increase in hourly wages in year one, a 2.5% increase in year two, an adjustment to the 10‑year longevity step and an increase in the outside‑service hourly rate to $40. District staff reported a total two‑year cost of 4.75% for this unit. The board approved the interpreter contract (motion by Scott Andresen; second by Diana Fenton) by voice/roll‑call vote as recorded.
Paid family and medical leave Scalarud noted both agreements reflect contributions for the paid family and medical leave program that take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The district stated the total required contribution is 0.88% of wages, split evenly between employer and employee (0.44% each), per the statute referenced in the presentation.
Votes at a glance - Licensed Practical Nurse tentative agreement: motion by Al Dahlgren; second by Zach Dorholt; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). Reported two‑year cost: 11.08%. - Sign‑language interpreter tentative agreement: motion by Scott Andresen; second by Diana Fenton; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). Reported two‑year cost: 4.75%.
The agreements were presented as items for board approval and were approved during the action portion of the Oct. 1 meeting. The board did not amend the settlement language on the floor; staff said the LPN market adjustments are funded through dedicated district funds for that purpose.
