Arbitrator Says Minneapolis School District Unjustly Denied Raises To Teachers, Staff

The Minneapolis Star Tribune (10/27, Mitchell) reports that "the Minneapolis School District will have to pay out almost $17 million to teachers and support staff after a state arbitrator ruled that the employees were unjustly denied raises and merit pay for two years." The district did not "pay salary schedule raises and merit pay to teachers" during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years due to "budget problems." But the arbitrator "found that the decision was made without sufficient reason." The Star Tribune adds that "In a separate ruling," a different arbitrator "found that the district failed to provide raises to support staff after their contract expired in summer 2009." The support staff members are due about "$2.8 million in back pay."