Mpls School District reaches agreement with MFT, ESP members; ratification vote still needed

(KSTP) – Tentative agreements have been reached between the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, as well as the Education Support Professionals.

The announcement comes after more than two weeks of negotiations, and students having been out of class for 14 days.

Additional details about the agreement are expected to be released sometime Friday.

MFT leaders say ratification votes are expected to be held over the weekend.

Negotiations have been held virtually over the past few days, and the teachers union told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they were hopeful more movement would be made on their requests.

The district said earlier this week they had what they called their last, final and best offer on the table. That deal included priorities the union had been asking for, such as smaller class sizes, higher wages and social workers in each school.

MPS will hold a news conference at 9 a.m. Friday at the John B. Davis Education Center, and MFT union members will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. at the Davis Center.

If the vote passes, students will return to school Monday, March 28.