Teachers from the western South Dakota county of Meade and the Meade school district are headed back to mediation.  The two sides are in dispute over contract issues and have been negotiating for some time.  The mediation for the two sides is state-supported and will continue throughout July until a decision is reached.

According to reports from the local newspaper and official documents, the Meade County school district offered teachers with more than five years of experience with a $550 raise.  Teachers will less than five years were offered a $350 raise.  This increase meets the requirement in place by the state requiring at least a one percent raise.

According to Eric Johnson, head negotiator for the Meade Education Association, the raise it not enough.

The district issued a statement saying, "The School Board has carefully reviewed budget projections for 2018-19 and believes that its offer to Meade Education Association is fair, prudent and consistent with South Dakota statutes for teacher compensation.

Johnson fired back, "Under the board proposal average salaries would actually drop from 2017-18 to 2018-19.  The salaries would 'just' stay above the state-imposed accountability rate for teacher's salaries. "

Originally the union wanted a raise of $1900 for teachers, but this amount was rejected by the district.

According to district officials, the money in the budget needs to be spread between teacher salaries and the operation cost of a new middle school in Somerset.   There are also two building projects underway that would alter enrollment and staffing needs in the area. 

Should mediation fail, the negotiations will move to an administrative judge under the Labor Department.