ROCORI board approves multiple employee agreements, including teacher contract raising starting pay to about $50,000

The ROCORI Public School District board approved a group of employee agreements covering teachers, administrators, program managers, confidential administrators and classified staff during its regular meeting.

Superintendent (presenting) said the teachers’ tentative agreement with Education Minnesota covers 2025–2027 and represents an 8.53% total increase over two years, roughly a 4% annual increase, and includes changes to health‑insurance contributions and a $2,500 retirement incentive for staff who announce retirement before Feb. 1. The superintendent said the district estimates the total salary and wage cost of the teacher settlement at about $1,400,000 for the bargaining unit (the administration cited roughly 181 affected positions). “So this kind of will keep the salary schedule for the extracurricular” work tied to the regular schedule, the superintendent said while describing contract language clarifications.

Board members noted the agreement also raises the district’s starting teacher pay; the presenter said the current starting salary is around $48,000 and is expected to be about $50,000 next year under the settlement. The board approved the teacher master agreement (motion by Matt; seconded by Kayla).

The board also approved a set of smaller agreements. A directors‑group administrators association contract covering 2025–2027 was presented with a total two‑year package of 7.54% and an estimated two‑year district cost of about $72,000; the contract adds paid family‑leave language, increases the 403(b) cap from $36,000 to $48,000, and formalizes dental offerings for employees. The confidential‑administrator position (business manager/HR type role) received a proposed 4.5% annual salary adjustment with the district noting that the health‑insurance change was being implemented as a salary adjustment rather than a separate contribution (administration estimated roughly a $10,000 total increase for that position over two years).

Program managers (district office staff and a preschool lead) received an 8.11% two‑year increase, higher 403(b) contributions and a life‑insurance increase; administration estimated a two‑year package cost of about $24,200. Classified/support staff (custodians, cooks, office staff, paraprofessionals and others) received a two‑year package totaling 9.32% with health‑insurance changes, dental and paid family‑leave language, increased longevity (5¢ an hour each year) and targeted wage adjustments; administration estimated the two‑year cost at about $301,000. Each of these agreements was presented, motioned and approved by the board in sequence.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of payment to Cold Spring Bakery, $16.49 — approved (roll‑call style vote recorded 4 ayes, 1 abstention). - Memorandum of Understanding with Tri City Cable TV Commission (two‑year MOU; no money exchanged) — approved. - Cold Spring Chamber of Commerce membership dues — approved. - Education Minnesota master agreement (teachers) 2025–2027 — approved. - Administrators association employee agreement 2025–2027 — approved. - Confidential administrators employee agreement — approved. - Program managers employee agreement — approved. - Classified employee agreement 2025–2027 — approved.

Why it matters

The set of contracts represents the largest recurring personnel expense for the district and will affect payroll, benefits administration and budget planning for the next two years. Administration said retro pay processing will follow contract approvals. Board discussion and committee review were cited as part of the negotiation process and the board emphasized tying future budgeting to its strategic plan.

What’s next

Administration will process retroactive pay and implement the approved contract language. The board and administration indicated they will follow up with six‑month strategic‑plan check‑ins and related budget reviews to monitor implementation and fiscal impact.