Brainerd Still Without Teacher Deal

Some large Minnesota school districts, including Brainerd, face financial penalties if they don't reach agreement on teacher contracts before a state deadline of midnight Friday. Education Minnesota, the state teachers union, says that 29 locals had not settled their two year contracts as of early Friday evening. Districts that don't reach a deal with their teachers by the deadline are penalized $25.00 per student by the state of Minnesota. The Minneapolis Public Schools announced late Friday that they could not reach agreement with the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers before the deadline. Brainerd faces a $200-thousand dollar penalty.