FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – A packed room as Fargo teachers and the school board met for the first time in several months to try to work out a new teacher’s contract.
While a final contract agreement was not reached, the two sides who have been at odds for nearly a year, did agree to several items, including a top priority, workplace safety, citing the increasing number of teachers injured by students with behavioral problems. Teachers won’t have to use their own sick leave as the board agreed to provide 200 days for that.
The board and teachers could not agree on salary, the biggest issue. The board offered a 3% pay increase over the next two years. They said anything more would put the school district in the red. Teacher negotiators said that was not enough.
In a statement on the FEA’s Facebook page, teachers showed their frustration for not being able to reach an agreement. They said the board prevents the district from becoming an “employer of choice” by attracting and retaining staff and that the board has disrespect, demeans, and diminishes teacher’s morale.
