SCHOOL SETTLEMENT DEADLINE PASSES

At least 17 Minnesota school districts will have $25 per pupil subtracted from their state aid package because they weren't able to sign contracts with their teachers. The deadline was last night at midnight. The largest Minnesota district without a new teacher contract is St. Cloud. Superintendent Bruce Watkins said settling for the $1.5-Million increase in pay and benefits for teachers was more expensive than the $257,000 in one-time penalties. Watkins said he doesn't expect a teacher's strike and most elements of last year's contract continue in effect. Teacher's union officials said the average pay increase for this year was 2.4% but that doesn't include health care benefit and seniority and merit pay increases.