Community Q & A's

AHEM represents more than 3,000 Teachers, Counselors, Nurses, and Licensed Staff who work directly with students.

We Advocate For:

• High-Quality Learning Environments.
• Safe and Well-Resourced Classrooms.
• Fair, Competitive Compensation That Keeps Great Educators in Our District.

Strong Schools Depend on Retaining Experienced Educators, and That Depends on Fair Contracts.

The Educators’ Contract Expired on June 30. Since Returning for the 2025–26 School Year, Educators Have Been Working Under the Previous Agreement While Negotiating a New Contract.

AHEM Is Fighting for a Fair Contract That:

• Addresses Skyrocketing Health Insurance Costs.
• Provides Competitive, Meaningful Pay.
• Ensures Stability in Classrooms for Students.

Educators Want to Stay in This District, but They Need a Contract That Makes That Possible.

Because the District Has Not Yet Addressed the Insurance and Salary Crisis, Educators Are Now Preparing for the Possibility of a Strike. This Does Not Mean They Want to Strike. It Means They Are Taking Responsible Steps So They Are Ready Only If the District Refuses to Reach a Fair and Sustainable Agreement.

Teachers Overwhelmingly Prefer to Stay in the Classroom and Hope the District Chooses a Path That Avoids Any Disruption to Student Learning.

Last Spring, the School Board Approved Health Insurance Increases Averaging 22%. As a Result, Educators Are Taking Home $95 to $400 Less Per Paycheck Simply Due to Insurance Costs.

At the Same Time:

• No Pay Increase Has Been Agreed Upon.
• Negotiations Have Stalled.
• Neighboring Districts Offer Far Better Compensation Packages.

Educators Are Speaking Up Because This Is Unsustainable - for Themselves and for the Long-Term Stability of Our Schools.

Everything That Affects Educators Ultimately Affects Students.

• More Unfilled Positions.
• Larger Class Sizes.
• Less Stability From Year to Year.
• Less Time With Educators Who Know Students Well.

Families Want Consistent, Well-Trained Educators Who Can Afford to Stay in the District - And That’s What AHEM Is Fighting For.

Rising Insurance Costs Are Hurting Everyone Who Works in Our Schools.

The District Approved Budget Measures That Gave Administrators Both Salary Increases and Affordable Healthcare Options, While Educators in Classrooms Received Neither. AHEM Is Raising Awareness About How These Pressures Affect The Entire School Community.

The Best Way to Invest in Our Students’ Future Is to Ensure That the People Who Support Them Every Day Can Afford to Stay in Their Jobs.

The District Is Forcing Educators Into an Unacceptable Choice: Affordable Insurance OR Competitive Salaries - Not Both.

This Is a False Choice. Other Metro Districts Successfully Provide:

• Reasonable Healthcare Costs.
• Fair Wage Increases.

AHEM Is Simply Asking Anoka-Hennepin to Do the Same So We Can Keep Great Educators in Our Classrooms.

Educators in Anoka-Hennepin Do Not Want to Strike. They Want to Be in Their Classrooms With Students. But They Are Preparing for the Possibility of a Strike Because the District Has Not Yet Addressed the Two Issues Causing the Most Harm to Our Schools:

1. Unaffordable Health Insurance Costs

Last Spring, the School Board Approved 22% Health Insurance Increases, Resulting in Educators Losing $95–$400 From Every Paycheck. For Many, This Is the Equivalent of a Pay Cut, Especially Because the District Has Not Agreed to Any Pay Increase.

2. Non-Competitive Salaries

While Neighboring Districts Are Investing in Competitive Pay and Affordable Healthcare, Anoka-Hennepin Has Not Kept Up. This Makes It Harder to Attract and Keep Great Educators - Leading to More Turnover, Instability, and Unfilled Positions.

A Strike Is Not About Wanting More - It’s About Not Losing Ground

Educators Are Preparing to Strike Because They Cannot Continue Absorbing Massive Insurance Increases While Receiving No Meaningful Raise. This Is Not Sustainable for Them or for the Long-Term Health of Our Schools.

A Strike Is Always a Last Resort

A Strike Will Only Happen If the District Refuses to Reach a Fair, Responsible Contract. Educators Would Much Rather Reach an Agreement and Return Their Full Focus to Teaching.

The Goal of Preparing to Strike Is to Avoid One

• Bring Urgency to Negotiations
• Push the District to Offer a Fair Proposal
• Achieve a Settlement Without Disrupting Classrooms

If a Strike Happens, It Will Be Because the District Chose Not to Fix the Problem.

• Stabilizes Our Schools.
• Supports Educator Well-Being.
• Keeps Great Teachers in Front of Students.

No. Educators Love Their Students and Want to Be in Their Classrooms. A Strike Is Always a Last Resort and Will Only Happen If the District Refuses to Fix the Insurance and Salary Crisis.

Educators Overwhelmingly Want to Reach a Fair Agreement and Keep Their Focus on Teaching.

If a Strike Becomes Unavoidable:

• Classes Would Pause.
• Many School Activities Would Be Disrupted.
• The District Would Provide Updates on Meal Programs, Childcare Options and Schedules.
• AHEM Will Also Share Resources to Help Families Navigate Any Disruption.

Most Importantly: A Strike Can Still Be Prevented at Any Time If the District Negotiates a Fair Contract.

No. This Is About Basic Affordability and Protecting the Quality of Our Schools.

When Health Insurance Increases by Over 100%, Any Raise Becomes Meaningless. Compensation Must Allow Anoka-Hennepin to Attract and Retain Excellent Educators - for the Sake of Students’ Learning.

No. Educators Are Asking for a Contract That:

• Reflects Inflation.
• Honors the Demands of the Job.
• Keeps Anoka-Hennepin Competitive.
• Provides Stability for Students.

The District’s Current Offer Does Not Meet These Basic Needs.

We Are Deeply Grateful for the Support Shown by Parents, Caregivers and Community Members Across Anoka-Hennepin. Your Encouragement, Your Willingness to Learn More and Your Commitment to Standing With the Educators Who Work With Your Children Every Day Truly Make a Difference.

Strong Public Schools Are Built Through Partnership - Educators, Families, Students and Community Members Working Together Toward Shared Goals. That Partnership Is Essential to Keeping Students Successful, Maintaining Stability in Our Classrooms and Ensuring Our Community Continues to Thrive.

When Families and Educators Support One Another, Schools Become Stronger, Safer and More Enriching Places for Every Child. Your Involvement Helps Reinforce the Message That Our Community Values High-Quality Learning Environments and the People Who Make Them Possible.

Thank You for Being Part of This Shared Effort. Your Support, Your Questions, and Your Engagement Strengthen Not Just Our Schools, But Our Entire Community.

Your Voice Makes a Big Difference. You Can Support Educators By:

• Contacting School Board Members and Urging Them to Settle a Fair Contract.
• Attending Rallies or Community Meetings.
• Displaying Yard Signs or Posters.
• Speaking at Board Meetings.
• Sharing Accurate Information With Neighbors and Friends.
• Asking Questions When the District Releases One-Sided or Misleading Information.

Staying Informed Helps Our Community Understand What’s Happening in Negotiations and How We Can Work Together to Support Strong Schools. Here Are Ways to Keep Up-to-Date:

Visit Our Contract Update Page
Get Accurate Information, Updates, and Resources Directly From AHEM.
ahem.mn.aft.org/community

Follow AHEM on Social Media

• Stay Connected and Help Share Accurate Information With Your Networks.
• Facebook: Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota

Attend Community Events
Join Educators at Rallies, School Board Meetings and Community Conversations. Your Presence Matters.

Ask Questions and Share Information
If You See Something That Seems Incomplete or Misleading, Reach Out. We’re Here to Help Clarify the Facts.