Union urges faster talks as Lakeville teachers remain in mediation pathway

Johanna Surma, lead negotiator for Education Minnesota Lakeville, told the Lakeville Area School Board during public comment that the union filed for mediation after the district declared negotiations at an impasse on Nov. 5 and that the parties have a first mediation session scheduled for Jan. 8. “We were disappointed as in our view, this was premature,” Surma said, and urged the board to help reach “a contract settlement that fully supports teachers so that we can fully support students.”

Surma said the union remains willing to bargain and appreciated that district negotiators agreed to return to the table Dec. 11. She said the contract expired July 1 and that educators have continued to work despite the lapse. “A fair and timely settlement is in the best interest of the entire Lakeville community,” she added.

Board members and administrators acknowledged the concern. Superintendent Baumann thanked the union for returning to bargaining and noted the district scheduled follow‑up meetings; he did not announce a settlement during the meeting.

Later, Director Kim Baker reported in a board update that a recent 9‑17 regional negotiation process had concluded and said, “we had settled our educator contract,” language that differs from Surma’s description of an ongoing mediation pathway. The transcript records both statements; the board and union appear to be operating from different characterizations of bargaining status. The union’s comment and the board’s subsequent reports underscore a continuing public interest in the timetable and terms of any agreement.

What’s next: Surma noted the mediation calendar and the return to bargaining on Dec. 11; the union and district are scheduled to meet again, and the union’s first mediation session is scheduled for Jan. 8. The board did not take formal action on the contract during the Nov. 25 meeting.