Superintendent Scott Faul shows off the traditional bell gift intended for outgoing board member Sabrina Herrmann.

The Minot Public School Board approved the latest contracts with the teachers’ and administrators’ unions following several weeks of negotiations at its regular meeting on Thursday, June 11.

District business manager Laura Dokken reviewed the new one year contract with the North Dakota United Chapter 52 Union, which increased base wages by 4% and reduced all MPS-paid Health Savings Account contributions effective Jan. 1, 2027. The projected increase for the package is $323,301, or about 5% compared to the prior contract.

The board voted unanimously to ratify the contract.

The Minot Administrators Association negotiations also resulted in a one-year contract and included a reduction of District Health Savings Account contributions, beginning in 2027, and changes to personal leave to only pay out upon separation. The salary schedule saw an increased base to $80,642, allowance of experience and education advancements, and other updates to the pay schedule.

The total dollar amount for the MAA 2026-2027 contract package is $5,024,158 for salaries and benefits. This contract also was unanimously ratified by the board.

Dokken also reviewed increases for other employee groups, including a 4% bump for classified and technology staff base wages and 2.5% increases for administration and professional support staff. The total increase to the general fund budget for the three groups is about $600,000.

The final item addressed at the meeting was a request from Superintendent Scott Faul for a new full-time employee in the district to serve as in-house legal counsel.

Faul said the district currently utilizes several different law firms depending on the nature of the matter in question. Faul said the frequency and intensity of incidents are increasing, as the district has eclipsed the budgeted $100,000 for legal fees the last several years.

Faul explained another factor is the two school specialist lawyers at law firm Pearce Durick have left the firm, which he said was concerning as the firm typically did 80% of the district’s legal work.

Faul asked the board for a full-time in-house counsel to ensure there is consistency and awareness of the district’s desires and needs.

“We can have a lawyer learn our district, our policies, our needs on a consistent basis and help guide us to keep us out of trouble. We want to do right by our students, staff and families in town, and we believe this would help support that work,” Faul said.

The request was approved unanimously without any discussion.

Faul closed the meeting paying tribute to board member Sabrina Herrmann, who forgoed pursuing another term on the school board. Faul said Herrmann was unfortunately absent due to a delayed flight.

“Sabrina Herrmann has been a school member since 2022. Since that time we’ve seen some great change in our school district. Some challenges, but some great success and prosperity as well. She certainly helped guide and served our students, our staff and our community very well. We are thankful for Sabrina and her service,” Faul said.