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Board ratifies two‑year ESP contract after union thanks negotiators
Summary
The board unanimously approved a two‑year contract with education support professionals covering pay increases (class 1 start $20/hr, class 2 $21/hr), COLA and a $3,040,953 two‑year investment; union leader said the agreement is progress but not the end of their advocacy.
The school board voted Sept. 23 to ratify a two‑year employment agreement with the district’s education support professionals (ESP) covering the term July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026. Yvonne Schwartz Lind, executive director of human resources, summarized the contract highlights and said the total two‑year financial investment is $3,040,953 representing a 9.39% package increase.
"Class 1 starting pay now starts at $20 per hour, class 2, $21 per hour," Schwartz Lind told the board, and staff outlined grid increases ranging from 5% to 9%, a 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment across classes and steps, and an increase in the highly qualified stipend from $100 to $250 annually. She also said district contributions to health coverage were increased and that HR and payroll will begin implementation upon ratification.
Speaking during public comment before the vote, Michelle Dennard, president of Osseo ESP Local 7325, thanked negotiators for progress but said the contract "does not reflect the full needs and expectation of education support professionals in this district" and pledged continued advocacy for livable wages and benefits. The board approved the contract on a motion by Director Thomas Brooks, seconded by Director Keith Tate; the motion passed unanimously, 6–0.
