Classes At St. Paul Public Schools Canceled Over Teacher Strike

SAINT PAUL, MN — Despite discussions going late into the night, Saint Paul Public Schools classes and activities are canceled Tuesday due to a Saint Paul Federation of Educators union strike.

District officials said Monday night that if they did not reach a contract agreement with the union, families and staff would be notified by 5 a.m. Tuesday.

The union says it wants more support for mental health, multilingual and special education efforts, as well as increasing "restorative practices to start eliminating the racial disparities in our schools."

"District leaders don’t understand the urgency of these needs. Educators do — we see them every day in our schools," Nick Faber, president of the Saint Paul Federation of Educators, said in a statement over the weekend.

"Our students can’t wait any longer."

The union is asking teachers to report to their strike lines at 7 a.m. every day. Educators will participate in a district-wide demonstration at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Global Arts Plus Upper Campus.

"Educators who are not able to participate on the picket line should reach out to their Strike Captain to coordinate other ways that they can offer assistance to the strike effort," the union advises on its website.