Union leaders are seeking class-size caps, increased mental health support and "competitive salaries" for teachers, noting that their compensation lags many districts in the Twin Cities metro area.
COVID is a big factor in the school staffing crunch but there may be a bigger culprit, particularly when it comes to teachers, bus drivers and custodians.
Here's an idea for preventing staff shortages that you should steal: Hold an "unconference" to determine how you can lighten teacher workloads so they can put their students first.
Some experts warn there are longer-term problems with the teacher pipeline that cannot be solved with emergency substitutes, bonuses and loosened qualifications.
Some 55% of educators polled said that they were ready to leave "the profession they love earlier than planned," according to the latest National Education Association member survey.
