RFT and RAS reaches 2-year tentative agreement

The Sun-Post reported the agreement on Tuesday:

Robbinsdale Area Schools and the Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers (RFT) reached a tentative agreement on a new two-year contract following a mediation session Jan. 8. The contract, retroactive to July 1, 2009, calls for no salary increase for 2009-10 and a 1 percent wage increase for 2010-11. The RFT negotiations team was expected to present the tentative agreement to its 980 members beginning Jan. 11. A union ratification vote is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 15. If union members ratify the proposal, the District 281 School Board could consider approving the contract at a special meeting shortly thereafter. The state has set a deadline of Jan. 15 for school districts to settle teacher contracts. Districts without a teacher contract settlement by Jan. 15 will be fined $25 per pupil.

It’ll be interesting to see where RAS might cut the budget to pay for the increase.

Wanted: Qualified School Board Candidates!

For those considering running for one of 4 open school board seats this fall, there will be a candidate info session tonight at 7:00. From RAS:

New Hope, Minn. (May 28, 2009) – On November 3, 2009 community members of  Robbinsdale Area Schools will elect four candidates to four-year terms on the school board.  Potential candidates must be at least 21 years old, a resident of the district for at least 30 days prior to the election, and be an eligible voter.

The district will host a Potential Candidate Information Session on Monday, June 22 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. in the boardroom at the Education Service Center, 4148 Winnetka Avenue North, New Hope.  The session will include an overview of the district, school board policy governance, school board roles and responsibilities, and campaign information.  Residents interested in running for the school board are encouraged to attend.

The first day to file for the general election is Tuesday, August 25; the last day to file is Tuesday, September 8. Candidates must file an affidavit of candidacy with the school district clerk; the fee is $2.00. A primary election will not be held. For more information, please call the district office, 763-504-8012.

This is your chance to make a difference for a getting our school district back on the success track! Please consider running.