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Board approves labor contracts, policies, course proposals and site‐review authorization
Summary
At its Nov. 24 meeting the South Saint Paul school board unanimously approved the teachers’ and principals’ contracts for 2025–27, nine district policy updates, a Concordia student-teacher agreement, new high-school course proposals, and authorized submitting facility project information to MDE for a possible May bonding question.
The South Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education approved several consent and business items at its Nov. 24 meeting, voting unanimously on all motions presented.
Labor agreements: Charlie Cook, executive director of human resources, told the board the district reached a tentative agreement with the South Saint Paul Teachers Association (Local 861) for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2027 and that "South Saint Paul teachers voted in favor of the proposed contract on Tuesday, November 4." Cook said the agreement "includes the increases to the step and lane salary schedules of 2% in year 2% in year 2, along with an increase in longevity and some, language cleanup and changes." The board voted to approve the contract 6-0.
Cook also presented the Principals Association agreement for the same contract period; he said principals "voted in favor of the proposed contract on Wednesday, November 19," and noted the settlement includes 2% increases, longevity and a 403(b) match. The board approved that contract 6-0.
Policies and consent items: The board approved the consent agenda (financial claims, bills payable and staffing) and nine policies as listed by the administration (Policy Nos. 204 — school board minutes; 209 — code of ethics; 210 — conflict of interest; 211 — criminal or civil action; 516.5 — overdose medication; 518 — DNR/DNI orders; 521 — student disability nondiscrimination; 532 — use of peace officers and crisis teams to remove students with IEPs; and 905 — advertising). Each motion carried unanimously.
Partnerships and agreements: The board approved a 2025–26 student-teacher placement agreement with Concordia University-Saint Paul, effective April 2026, aligning with district policy 4-4-37.
Facilities submission (bonding): The board authorized the superintendent to submit required information to the Minnesota Department of Education to request review and comment on acquisition and betterment projects for May ballot consideration. Dr. Zambrino said the submission "is due by December 23" and emphasized the requests focus largely on maintenance needs identified in a 2022 facility study. A board member confirmed the district will return proposed ballot wording and a communications plan to the board before a vote.
New course approvals: The board approved four new high-school electives — Arabic language and culture (yearlong, grades 9–12), Latino Studies (trimester, grades 10–12), a bilingual English–Spanish podcast production course (yearlong, grades 9–12), and Introduction to Ojibwe (yearlong, grades 9–12). Administrators said approval makes the courses available in registration but does not guarantee they will run (the district generally aims for roughly 22–25 students per section).
All motions reported on the Nov. 24 agenda passed by voice vote with no opposition.
