Gazelka Supports Teacher Freeze

State Senator Paul Gazelka of Brainerd was among those who approved a state directive freezing school employees wages for two years.  The measure was approved along party lines.

The Republican says the bill provides relief to school districts that are grappling with constrictive state mandates and unfair and unreasonable demands from teachers unions.

Gazelka says Senate File 56 freezes education spending across Minnesota and offers needed reform. It is not only a request to educators that they help Minnesota live within its means, it will also save good teachers’ jobs all around the state.
The legislation lifts the $25 per-pupil fine if contracts are not finalized between school administrators and teachers unions.   It also eliminates the requirement of school districts to spend a specific amount of money for staff development. And a third relief proposal would ease the requirement placed on school districts that force them to overlook counselors and social work staff when facing budget decisions.