Negotiations

Contract Negotiations, 2023-24 School Year

In Eden Prairie Schools, we provide an inspiring education for each student we serve. That is possible because of our staff, who are among the very best in the state.

For that reason, our goal in contract negotiations is to offer competitive and responsible contracts that attract and retain the best possible talent and empower them to fulfill our district mission of inspiring each student every day.

We believe:

Eden Prairie Schools and our bargaining units should enjoy a productive, collaborative relationship based on mutual understanding of, and respect for, each other’s role in serving our students, families, staff and community while advancing our mission.
The negotiations process is an opportunity to listen to our staff, identify areas of common interest and build and sustain lasting partnerships that benefit students.
Contracts should uphold and reflect our core values:
- Each person has intrinsic value.
- Each person has individual gifts, interests and talents.
- Community benefits when each person contributes.
- Relationships flourish on a foundation of mutual trust and respect.
- Continuous learning is essential for personal fulfillment, opportunity and success.

We commit to:

Upholding Eden Prairie School Board Executive Limitation 2.8, Compensation and Benefits, which states: With respect to employment, compensation, and benefits to employees, consultants, and contract workers, the Superintendent shall not cause or allow jeopardy to financial integrity or to public image. Furthermore, the Superintendent shall not:
- Promise or imply permanent or guaranteed employment.
- Establish current compensation and benefits that deviate materially from the geographical or professional market for the skills employed. Further, compensation and benefits must not deviate from Board-established parameters.
Making our staff members feel appreciated for their interests, talents, intrinsic value, and individual gifts, and creating a foundation of mutual trust and respect.
Providing our staff members with pay and benefits that are competitive in the marketplace and responsible in order to maintain long-term financial sustainability.

2023-25 negotiations

EPEA 2023-25 contract update

EPEA 2023-25 contract update

Eden Prairie Education Association (EPEA; teachers and certified staff) 2023-25 contract update

Status: 2023-25 contract approved

Updates:

Feb. 26, 2024

The Eden Prairie Board of Education approved a new 2023-25 contract.

Feb. 1, 2024

We are excited to share the Eden Prairie Education Association (EPEA) and Eden Prairie Schools Administration have reached a tentative agreement on the 2023-25 contract for teachers and licensed staff. This agreement still requires the approval of EPEA members and ratification by the Eden Prairie School Board, which we expect to happen this month.

This tentative agreement reflects months of hard work and collaboration, as well as a commitment by all of us to reach an understanding that honors teachers and licensed staff and the work they do while prioritizing safety, workload, and retention. We appreciate our community’s attention to this process, and we are grateful for the many people who spoke up about the value of our educators.

We also want to be clear that this is not an end to our collaboration, as there is always more to do to ensure competitive and responsible contracts that attract and retain the best possible talent while empowering them to fulfill our district mission of inspiring each student every day.

Today we celebrate the progress made and move forward together as one Eagle Nation.

Eden Prairie Education Association	Eden Prairie Schools Administration
Charles Cooper – Lead Negotiator	Thomas May – Lead Negotiator
Dominic Kirkpatrick – EPEA President	Dr. Joshua Swanson – Superintendent
Michelle Rada – Negotiator	Aaron Casper – Board Chair
Eric Herrmann – Education Minnesota Representative	Dr. Carlondrea Hines – Negotiator
	Dr. Robb Virgin – Negotiator
	Charles “CJ” Strehl – Board Negotiations Committee Member
	Steve Bartz – Board Negotiations Committee Member

Teacher Negotiations meetings

2023-24 Negotiations dates:

June 21, 8-11 a.m.
June 26, 8-11 a.m.
June 28, 8-11 a.m.
August 23, 8-11 a.m.
August 28, 1-2:30 p.m.
September 6, 4-6 p.m.
September 20, 4-6 p.m.
September 27, 4-6 p.m.
October 25, 4-6 p.m.
November 14, 4-6 p.m.
November 28, 4-6 p.m.
January 3, 4-6 p.m.
January 10, 4-6 p.m.
January 17, 4-6 p.m.
January 24, 4-6 p.m.
January 31, 4-6 p.m.
February 1, 9-11 a.m.

Scheduled and then canceled Negotiations dates:

July 10, 8-11 a.m. (Bureau of Mediation Services hold)
July 12, 8-11 a.m. (Bureau of Mediation Services hold)
July 17, 8-11 a.m. (Bureau of Mediation Services hold)
July 19, 8-11 a.m. (Bureau of Mediation Services hold)
July 24, 8-11 a.m. (Bureau of Mediation Services hold)
July 26, 8-11 a.m. (Bureau of Mediation Services hold)
July 31, 8-11 a.m. (Bureau of Mediation Services hold)
November 8, 4-6 p.m. (Meeting canceled by EPEA)
November 21, 4-6 p.m. (Meeting canceled by EPEA)