SCHOOL BOARD: Paraprofessionals want health care benefits; district considers budget cuts

March 15--The Cloquet School Board meeting this week was awash in green -- the color of St. Patrick's Day and the union representing the district's paraprofessionals.

Close to 20 paraprofessionals attended the meeting Monday, March 12. Judy Nelson, a 19-year paraprofessional for Cloquet, addressed the school board regarding the union's ongoing contract negotiations with the district.

After pointing out that the paraprofessionals have been working without a current contract since July 1, Nelson noted that the biggest issue is the fact the district doesn't pay anything toward their health insurance.

"Health insurance coverage is only offered to paraprofessionals who work seven hours (a day) or more," she told the board, explaining that no union members work seven hours or more or 35 hours per week. "The superintendent is so determined paraprofessionals won't get health insurance from the school district that at every negotiation, he has told us no Cloquet school paraprofessional will ever work seven hours or more a day."

Nelson said the district's contract differs from the Affordable Care Act, which states that employees should receive health insurance from their employer if they work more than 30 hours a week and shouldn't have to spend more than 9 percent of their income for that insurance.

That's not happening in Cloquet, Nelson said.

Nelson also compared several neighboring school districts with Cloquet, acknowledging that pay in Cloquet is often higher, but Barnum, Esko and Moose Lake all pay toward insurance costs for their paraprofessionals.

In other matters Monday, the School Board:

--Approved a motion to have administration determine ways to reduce the anticipated $780,000 budget deficit for the next school year by up to $390,000. Scarbrough said they would probably look first at positions added to payroll over the past couple of years.

--Heard that its bond sales for roof replacements at its two elementary schools came in at a 2.02 percent actual interest rate, so borrowing costs will be $83,000 lower than expected. The district will get $4.95 million to spend on roofs and other maintenance projects, and the bonds will be paid off in six years using money already being collected for long-term facilities maintenance.

--Congratulated Washington Principal Robbi Mondati on winning the 2018 Leadership Achievement Award for the Northeast Division from the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association.

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