Anoka-Hennepin Schools values the dedication of its staff members and recognizes that all employees have a shared goal and mission: To effectively educate each student for success. 

The district aims to work collaboratively with bargaining groups in alignment with Policy 209, the negotiations code of ethics, which details guiding principles and practices in reaching agreements with Anoka-Hennepin employment contracts:

• Provide accurate, timely and complete information to employees and the general public.

• Respectfully and fairly participate in the negotiation process.

• Maintain support of the district, its schools and its staff.

• Make every reasonable effort to arrive at a responsible settlement for each contract.

Our staff

Anoka-Hennepin Schools employs approximately 7,500 staff members at over 50 sites. District staff are associated with 19 employee groups:

• Five policy groups (non-bargaining units): Administrators/Supervisors, the Superintendent’s Cabinet, Miscellaneous Community Education, Confidential Employees and Miscellaneous E-12.

• 14 bargaining groups:

  • 2022-24 Master Agreements: Building Supervisors, Educational Office Professionals, Paraeducators, School/Kindergarten Readiness teachers.

  • 2023-25 Master Agreements: Building Service Employees, Child Nutrition Assistants, Community School Coordinators, Education Support Professionals, Principals, School Office Supervisors, Special Education Program Supervisors, Teachers, Technical Specialists.

  • 2024-26 Master Agreements: Child Nutrition Site Supervisors.

  • Contracts currently open: Education Office Professionals and Paraeducators 

Background: How budget impacts salaries and benefits

The district’s $662 million general fund budget is the main funding source for employee salaries and benefits. Revenue in this fund is determined by the basic general education formula along with local property taxes and federal funding sources. 

By the numbers:

• Salaries and benefits are approximately 82% of the General Fund budget, totaling $540 million.

When adjusting salaries and benefits, the district considers offers and settlements for employee compensation which are economically attainable and will not compromise the general well-being of students, while balancing funding the district is allocated to receive from the state based on the basic general education formula. 

• A proposed 1% increase on salaries and benefits = $5.4 million expenditure from the general fund.

• A 1% increase on the basic general education formula = $2.87 million in revenue for the district.

Breaking it down: In the legislative session that concluded in the spring of 2023, Anoka-Hennepin Schools received a 2% increase on the basic general education formula for fiscal year 2025, which is equal to $5.5 million. 

The School Board approved the General Fund budget for the 2023-24 school year, which includes a 4.8% increase in salaries and 5.4% increase in benefits for all employee groups.

Note: Consistent with open meeting law and Public Employee Labor Relations Act (PELRA) - detailed negotiation discussions are addressed in closed sessions of the School Board.