Teachers negotiate a two-year pay raise

Carlton teachers will receive a pay increase of 4.25 percent for the 2023-24 school year and an additional 2 percent for the 2024-25 school year, according to a new contract approved by the Carlton school board at its meeting Monday, Nov. 20.

Other than that, there were few changes in the new contract with the Carlton Education Association, the union which represents teachers in the district, according to board chair Julianne Emerson.

“The things that we really wanted to do is to raise salaries and raise the entry level salary,” Emerson said.

A starting teacher with a bachelor’s degree earns $40,011 under the new contract, with step increases every year until Year 11. Teachers can also advance with further education. An 11-year teacher with a master’s degree will earn $62,214, for instance.

Carlton salaries are lower than average for teachers across the state. Teacher salaries in general are lower than for other professions with similar educational requirements.

The Minnesota Educator Salary Study, conducted by the University of Minnesota Law School stated the following:

“Compared to a dozen peer professions with roughly similar educational thresholds, Minnesota teachers earned between $15,000 and $90,000 less than most, including nurses, occupational therapists, and urban planners. The average teacher with a bachelor’s degree earned $50,900, while the average Minnesota worker with a bachelor’s degree earned $68,100. The average teacher with a master’s degree earned $71,750, while the average Minnesota worker with a master’s degree earned $86,750.”

In other matters, the board welcomed its newest member, Ryan Leonzal, who won his permanent seat in the special election this month. Leonzal will serve the remainder of Tim Hagenah’s term, which expires in December of 2024; Hagenah resigned in June.

Will Leonzal run for reelection?

“I’m gonna run again. It’s non-negotiable,” he said. “I just really want to be involved. This is a good group of people. I have two young kids that have motivated me to be as active as I possibly can.”

The Carlton and Wrenshall sports cooperative is looking at a system called HUDL, which uses smart cameras to livestream and record games, and also allows storage and exchange of videos. This will allow access to automated statistics, coaching tools, and highlights for recruiting as well as livestreaming.

“It really enhances our coaches’ abilities to work with players, during practices and during games,” said activities director Brent Pokornowski.

It is not limited to just sports.

“You can do band concerts with the cameras they will install in both gymnasiums,” Pokornowski said, “And these cameras can run 24/7 If you want.”

The price tag for the system gave board member Sam Ojibway pause. Over three years, the two school districts will need to come up with $31,500.

“The only thing that worries me is fundraising,” Ojibway said.

The money is not a separate item in the budget. The plan is to rely on donations and have the coaches make up the difference out of their team budgets.

Superintendent Donita Stepan further explained that the total cost is spread over three years. That’s roughly $10,000 per year divided between the two districts, or $5,000 per district per year. Lastly, more costs can be recovered by selling video subscriptions to the games which can be streamed live or recorded.

“So, when we do the math, we feel pretty confident that even with a worst-case scenario, the price is still pretty low,” Stepan said.

The Carlton board approved the purchase of the HUDL system unanimously.