September 30th, 2025

Settling into the School Year

Dear colleagues,

Congratulations! We’ve made it through the first month of school! I know the first few weeks can feel like a whirlwind as you work to get everything in place, settle into new routines, and start to find your groove. It takes time, but each day you’re building something meaningful for your students.

We’re also building something meaningful for each other. Being part of our union means we’re in this together: standing up for fair treatment, better resources, and a work environment that respects the incredible work you do.

As we move through the year, let’s continue to support one another and strengthen our member community. When we do, we’re able to weather challenges and create real, positive change.

Keep trusting yourself and the process as you get more comfortable in your routines and settle into the school year ahead. We’ve got a lot to look forward to, and I’m proud to be in this work with all of you.

Together. Onward. Forward.

Josh Axtman

President, Eden Prairie Education Association

Are You the Health Care Action Leader We Need?

Education Minnesota is organizing for a statewide health insurance pool for all school employees and is seeking Health Care Action Leaders in every local. Health Care Action Leaders help connect members to the campaign by sharing updates, collecting stories, and encouraging action. There is a stipend for the position, and training will be provided by Education Minnesota.

Are you the Health Care Action Leader we need? For more information, including a complete description of the role, please contact Josh Axtman by October 27.

Link to previous EPEA Newsletters

Member Rights Advocates

We have trained Member Rights Advocates (MRAs) available to support members when issues arise involving conduct, performance, or potential contract or legal violations. MRAs are trained in PELRA, Minnesota statutes, and federal education and employment law. Their support is confidential and offers professional guidance when it’s needed most.

If you’re contacted by an administrator or supervisor for a meeting about conduct, behavior, or performance, your first step should be to contact Carla Thompson, our Lead MRA. She’ll explain what to expect and how we can support you.

When emailing Carla, use the subject line “MRA matter to discuss” and do not include further details. You may also text her at 952-240-6577 to arrange a call.

Link to EPEA Staff and Leaders

Earned Sick and Safety Time

Article XI: Leaves of Absences, Section 1:  Sick Leave, Subd1. Earned Sick Days: All eligible ECFE and PreK-12 teachers shall earn sick leave at the rate of twelve (12) days for each year of service. Such sick leave shall be a personal benefit to ECFE and PreK-12 teachers and the district will comply with state and federal law regarding expanding sick leave use beyond the individual, including Earned Sick and Safety Time as outlined in the appendix of this agreement. Annual sick leave shall accrue at the beginning of the school year.

Earned Sick and Safety Time was defined in Minnesota law as of January 1, 2024. Here’s what it means for us:

What can ESST be used for?

1. The employee’s mental or physical illness, treatment or preventive care;

2. A family member’s mental or physical illness, treatment or preventive care;

3. Absence due to domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking of the employee or a family member;

4. To make funeral arrangements, attend a funeral service or memorial or address financial or legal matters that arise after the death of a family member;

5. Closure of the employee’s workplace due to weather or public emergency or closure of a family member’s school or care facility due to weather or public emergency; and

6. When determined by a health authority or health care professional that the employee or a family member is at risk of infecting others with a communicable disease.

Which family members can an employee use ESST for?

1. Their child, including foster child, adult child, legal ward, child for whom the employee is legal guardian or child to whom the employee stands or stood in loco parentis (in place of a parent);

2. Their spouse or registered domestic partner;

3. Their sibling, stepsibling or foster sibling;

4. Their biological, adoptive or foster parent, stepparent or a person who stood in loco parentis (in place of a parent) when the employee was a minor child;

5. Their grandchild, foster grandchild or step-grandchild;

6. Their grandparent or step-grandparent;

7. A child of a sibling of the employee;

8. A sibling of the parents of the employee;

9. A child-in-law or sibling-in-law;

10. Any of the family members listed in 1 through 9 above of an employee’s spouse or registered domestic partner;

11. Any other individual related by blood or whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship; and

12. Up to one individual annually designated by the employee.

    
    

    Can an employer require an employee to provide notice to use ESST?

    An employer may require up to seven days in advance when the need to use ESST is foreseeable.

    
    

    Can an employer require an employee to provide documentation to use ESST leave?

    Yes, reasonable documentation can be requested when more than two consecutive scheduled workdays of ESST are used. If you are unable to secure the requested documentation, in most cases you may supply a written statement indicating you used or are using ESST for a qualifying purpose.

    
    

    Can an employer require an employee to provide specific details about the reason for using sick and safe time?

    No, the law does not require that an employee provide specific details about the reason for using

    sick and safe time, including details related to the employee’s or their family member’s medical condition.

    
    

    The most up-to-date information can be found at: https://www.dli.mn.gov/sick-leave

    
    

Link to EPEA Contract

Guidance from Your Member Rights Advocate

If you are in need of support at an administration meeting, believe there is a contract violation, or have performance/conduct-related support request, please connect with Carla Thompson (Lead MRA)

cthompson@edenpr.org or 952-240-6577.

Member Benefits:

Built In Benefits With Membership

• ESI PerksConnect - discounts to area activities and restaurants

• NEA Discount Marketplace - discount tickets and travel programs

• NEA Mental Health Program

• AFT Trauma counseling program

Education Minnesota: Key Numbers

Note: All numbers represent the 2024-25 school year

Minnesota Students

• 25,200 Pre-K and Early Childhood students 

• 870, 566 K-12 students

• 161,157 students receiving special education services

• 78,746 English language learners

• 69,766 students enrolled in charter schools

• 90,625 open enrolled to a non-residence district

Minnesota Schools

• 325 public independent districts

• 175 charter schools

• 2,260 school buildings

Education Spending

• Average per-pupil funding from general education revenue: $11,422

• Total spending, E-12: $24,258,581,000

• Higher education spending: $4,173,528,000

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The school board held a regular business meeting on Monday, Sept. 22. The bulk of the meeting was dedicated to policy monitoring in four areas: ends policies, executive limitations, board management delegation policies, and governance process policies. Other highlights of the meeting include:

• A “Spotlight on Success” in which a group of students and staff from Eden Prairie High School presented on the process and results of the creation of the new EPHS framework.

• A preliminary financial report on FY 2024-25 that showed an increase of $867K in the district general fund, despite projections of a $247K decrease. A final audit of FY 2024-25 will be presented to the board in November.

• A preliminary enrollment report showing enrollment in Eden Prairie Schools is at its highest level since the 2011-2012 school year. This is especially noteworthy in light of both nationwide and local trends of lower enrollment in public schools.

Eagle Excellence Showcase

Date: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

Time: 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Location: Valley View Campus, Solarium

(11840 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie)

Highlights of the evening will include the induction of the inaugural class of the Eden Prairie Schools Hall of Fame, the presentation of the 2025 FEPS Legacy Awards, and recognition of other standout individuals. Emceed by Senator (and former Eden Prairie High School teacher) Steve Cwodzinski, the showcase will celebrate the spirit of excellence that defines Eden Prairie Schools.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Eagle Excellence Showcase online.

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe

In Solidarity,

Josh Axtman, EPEA President

Kristen Mantel, EPEA Vice President

Jessica Brent, EPEA Treasurer

Jessica Premo, EPEA Secretary