Complete master contracts can be viewed on this page.
Stillwater Area Public Schools and Paraprofessionals began negotiations for the 2026-2028 contract on April 15, 2026.
Meeting 1 - 4/15/26
The Para Negotiations team presented six items for consideration.
Wage Increase: Increase to the wage schedule and addition of a class.
Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP): Proposal to increase the District’s contribution towards the HCSP.
Sick Bank: Adding the option of a sick leave payout for eligible employees.
Schedules: Adding time to para schedules to check emails.
Chrome Books: Providing access to chromebooks for paraprofessionals.
Discretionary Leave: An increase to the amount of discretionary days provided.
Matching Deferred Comp Plan: An increase to the percentage match.
Meeting 2 - 5/4/2026
The District Negotiations team presented nine language proposals.
- The district proposes language to the probationary period section to align the language with current practice.
- The district proposes to eliminate the physical examination requirement.
- The district proposes language to clarify the definition of a qualifying assault under the paraprofessional protection section.
- The district proposes reducing the number of rounds required during spring postings.
- The district proposes insurance language in alignment with the 2026-2027 MOA. This is language that has been agreed upon across all units.
- The district proposes to eliminate the Income Protection benefit in lieu of MN Paid Leave and reduce the elimination period of LTD.
- The district proposes to eliminate short term leave without pay.
- The district proposes adding a retirement notification deadline.
- The district proposes revising the continuation of coverage upon death provision to align the benefit with the District’s standard contribution structure for active employees.
Meeting 3 - 6/22/2026
At this meeting the Paraprofessional team declined to offer responses to the district’s proposals until after they receive a financial proposal from the district.
The District Negotiations team responded to Paraprofessionals proposals and provided costing information on the previously requested financial items.
The district added a language proposal to update the retirement insurance language to align with the updated insurance premiums.
Meeting 4 - 6/29/2026
At this meeting, the Paraprofessional negotiations team responded to several District proposals and presented revised proposals including financial items.
Paraprofessional Responses to District Proposals
- Tentatively agreed to eliminate the physical examination requirement.
- Tentatively agreed to renew the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) regarding the deduction of union dues.
- Tentatively agreed to update the insurance premium language and insurance coverage effective dates.
- Tentatively agreed to revise the School Conference Leave language to align with the applicable leave provisions.
- Rejected the District's proposal to eliminate Short-Term Leave Without Pay.
- Tentatively agreed to update the Minnesota Paid Family Leave language.
- Tentatively agreed to revise the retiree insurance language to reflect updated insurance premiums.
- Tentatively agreed to update the continuation of coverage upon death provision to align with the District's standard employer contribution structure for active employees.
Paraprofessional Proposals
- Withdrew their proposal regarding sick leave payout.
- Withdrew their proposal to transition sick leave to Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Revised their proposal regarding time to review emails, requesting that time be incorporated into employees' existing work schedules rather than adding additional scheduled time.
- Presented a revised financial proposal that included wage increases for all classes and withdrew their proposal to add an additional class.
- Proposed adding a new longevity tier beginning at five years of service and increasing the longevity amounts at each tier.
- Proposed increasing the District's percentage contribution to employees' 403(b) plans.
- Proposed adding a waiting period for eligibility for the Health Care Savings Plan and increasing the District's contribution to the plan.
Meeting 5 - 07/21/2026
The District and the Paraprofessional Union reached a Tentative Agreement on July 21, 2026. Following the union's ratification on August 17, 2026, the proposed contract will be presented to the School Board for approval on August 25, 2026.
