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Rock Ridge school board approves teacher contract, rescinds two leave orders and extends public-health services agreement
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Summary
At its April 27 meeting the Rock Ridge Public Schools board unanimously approved a collective bargaining contract covering July 1, 2025–June 30, 2027, rescinded two prior leave resolutions affecting tenured teachers, approved the 2026–27 school calendar and extended a public-health contract; most votes were unanimous and some personnel rescindings were recorded by roll call.
At its April 27 meeting, the Rock Ridge Public Schools Board of Education approved a collective bargaining agreement with Absaeton Local 65, rescinded two resolutions that had placed tenured teachers on unrequested leave, extended a public-health services contract and adopted the 2026–27 school calendar, all by unanimous votes.
The board approved the labor contract covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. Chair said the board appreciated negotiators’ work: "I'm very happy that this is done," the Chair said during the vote. The motion to approve the contract passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: the contract sets terms of employment for covered staff and affects staffing costs and classroom assignments over the next two school years. The superintendent told the board that a staffing and budget-adjustment report — including music-program staffing recommendations — will be presented at the first May meeting to show where teachers will be placed and what budget decisions will follow.
The board also moved to rescind two earlier resolutions that had placed tenured teachers on unrequested leave. The rescission of resolution 26-15 (affecting Gina Flank) passed on a roll-call vote with all listed directors recorded as voting yes. The rescission of resolution 26-16 (affecting Benjamin Norman) likewise passed on a roll-call vote with all directors recorded as voting yes. The chair noted the votes as unanimous when announcing outcomes.
In other business, the board approved an amendment to contract no. 17891 with the Saint Louis County Public Health and Human Services Department to extend the term of that agreement. The board also approved the treasurer's report by voice vote.
School calendar: The board adopted the 2026–27 staff calendar after discussion about in-service and flex days. A board member expressed concern that the proposed calendar includes 10 in-service/flex days and worried about lost instructional time; staff said the calendar builds two flex days tied to a contract provision that requires teachers to complete 15 hours of targeted professional development (which may be scheduled before or after the student day) and that the overall staff-day count remains consistent with prior practice. The calendar motion passed unanimously.
What happens next: the superintendent said the staffing and budget-placement details — including the music task force’s recommendation for additional 0.5 FTE — will be included in materials for the board’s next regular meeting on May 11. The board announced that meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Rockford and Jedmond Building.
Actions at a glance: approved collective bargaining agreement (07/01/2025–06/30/2027); rescinded resolutions 26-15 and 26-16 (tenured-teacher leaves) by roll call; approved amendment to contract no. 17891 with Saint Louis County Public Health; approved 2026–27 staff calendar; approved treasurer’s report. All motions passed unanimously.
