Should the state legislature set a minimum wage for non licensed school employees?
It's a debate taking place at the Statehouse after Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee, introduced legislation which would provide a $25 minimum wage for nonlicensed employees that have contact with students and who work at least 14 hours a week on average and at least 100 days a year.
“Its really problematic, the way we’ve been paying these folks,” Tabke said.
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Starting July 1, districts would also be required to pay 100% of annual health insurance premiums and at least 50% of the annual out-of-pocket maximum for a single individual health insurance plan. For families, the district would also have to pay for at least 85% of annual premiums and at least 50% of the annual out-of-pocket maximum.
While Education Minnesota and other advocates are supporting the legislation, some districts are concerned about giving up too much local control — and with the price tag.
“House file 1348, in our view, sends a message to our school boards that the legislature doesn’t trust our school boards to do the work they were elected to do, and required to do,” said Kirk Schneidawind, executive director of the Minnesota School Boards Association.
As of right now, about 300 paraprofessionals, food services and Kids’ Company staff make less than $25 an hour in the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools and would be impacted by the legislation, said Kristi Mussman, a spokesperson for the school...
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