St. Paul School Board Votes 6-1 to Spare 16 Teacher Jobs

The St. Paul school board voted 6-1 on Friday to prevent mid-year layoffs of 16 English learner teachers, adopting a plan that offers early retirement packages instead of terminations. The decision came after district officials reported 542 fewer English learner students enrolled this year.

Superintendent Dr. Stacie Stanley presented the proposal to the board during a special meeting. Under the plan, English language teachers aged 55 and older with 15 years of regular service with the district qualify for early retirement. Eligible teachers would receive $35,000 in a health savings account and could cash out up to 150 sick days. Their final day of work is set for Nov. 13.

The district attributed the enrollment decline largely to Operation Metro Surge. The drop in student numbers created a $4.9 million shortfall in district funding, prompting initial proposals to cut 16 English learner teacher positions. Stanley said the approved plan avoids any cuts during the current school year.

"I think it is really a positive," Stanley said. "We have teachers who do not retire because they're trying to hold on for their medical insurance. We have teachers who are waiting for a long time to retire and I really believe that we were able to meet some of the needs of those teachers."

The Saint Paul Federation of Educators issued a statement after the vote, saying it had reached an agreement with St. Paul Public Schools to avoid the proposed mid-year terminations. The union said the board of education approved the agreement at the special meeting Friday.

The union's statement also addressed the district's financial position: "Our SPPS Board of Education made the courageous decision to be transparent around the financial challenges the district is facing, and to trust our community as a partner in seeking solutions. Working together, SPFE, SPPS, and the Board of Education were able to find creative solutions to these terrible challenges, and protect students, families and staff." The union added that it hopes the process used to reach this agreement can serve as a framework for handling future challenges.