LAKEVILLE, Minn. — Teachers with Education Minnesota Lakeville announced that members voted to authorize a strike as negotiations stalled with Lakeville Area Public Schools on Sunday.
According to a press release from the union, members voted Thursday and Friday. When the final votes were counted on Friday night, 99% were in favor of striking.
“Lakeville teachers are standing strong together for what they need – fair wages, benefits and job stability. We’re losing more teachers to other districts due to our non-competitive wages and benefits, and this is hurting Lakeville students,” Carrie Popp, president of education Minnesota Lakeville said in a statement to media. “Striking is always the last possible option, but we’ve been working on an expired contract for more than 300 days and Lakeville teachers believe we need this tool on the table for the district to take our asks seriously. We’ve waited long enough.”
Teachers are asking the district for a substantial wage increase, more affordable healthcare and better benefits. According to the union, members also oppose "right of assignment" language that allows the district to unilaterally transfer teachers between buildings, subjects and grade levels.
Johannah Surma, the lead negotiator and a K-5 ESL teacher at Oak Hills and Orchard Lake elementary schools, said in a statement: “The district has been pushing forced transfer language this contract cycle, which would upset stability in our schools as well as the relationships between students and educators that are essential for student success. Parents, educators and community members have concerns about the district’s push for unilateral transfer power, and this threat to our job stability is stalling our ability for positive movement in negotiations.”
In a statement released April 29, the Lakeville Area Schools noted that filing an intent to strike requires a 10-day notice to the school district, per state law. Lakeville officials also said the complexity of modern contracts means that prolonged negotiations between districts and employees are not unusual.
"The District’s discussions with EML have been ongoing since July 2023. After reaching an impasse in December, mediation was sought," Lakeville Area Schools said in a news release. "Despite reaching a tentative agreement in mediation in February, the agreement was ultimately voted down by union membership."
The next mediation session between the teachers union and Lakeville Area Schools is currently scheduled for May 6. Teachers are asking for that date to be moved up, but the district says it is the earliest date mediators are available.
A teachers rally is planned for Tuesday, April 30 at 5:45 p.m. outside the district office ahead of a scheduled Lakeville school board meeting.
KARE 11 has reached out to Lakeville Public Schools for comment.
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