The Lakeville Area School Board heard multiple public pleas on Nov. 25 to settle the district's expired teacher contract after Education Minnesota Lakeville said the district declared impasse and filed for mediation.

"However, on November 5, the day after the levy passed, the district declared that negotiations were at an impasse and filed for mediation," said Johanna Surma, an English-learner teacher and the lead negotiator for Education Minnesota Lakeville, noting the union's first mediation session is scheduled for Jan. 8 and that bargaining will resume Dec. 11.

Surma told the board that the union filed an intent to bargain in March 2025 and that talks slowed over the summer; she said teachers remain committed to students but urged the board to help reach a contract that "fully supports teachers so that we can fully support students.""We believe a fair and timely settlement is in the best interest of the entire Lakeville community," she said.

A community member, Brian Cone, also urged a quick settlement and warned that neighboring districts paying higher salaries are drawing away teachers, which could jeopardize future bond or levy campaigns that depend on teacher support.

Board members discussed whether to host an informal session with teachers to hear their day-to-day perspectives. Several directors expressed concern about holding such a session while formal contract negotiations and mediation are active; the board agreed to defer a teacher-board forum until after the contract is resolved.

Superintendent Baumann acknowledged the district's work on bargaining and thanked teachers for their service; staff and union representatives are scheduled to meet Dec. 11 and the union's first mediation session is set for Jan. 8.

Next steps: mediation on Jan. 8 and resumed bargaining on Dec. 11 were noted during the meeting; the board agreed to postpone a public teacher forum until after contract resolution.