Moorhead Schools and Teachers Union Reach Tentative Contract Deal

Agreement aims to balance competitive pay with district's financial stability

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Moorhead Area Public Schools and its teachers union, Education Moorhead, have reached a tentative two-year contract agreement following nearly 10 hours of mediation. The deal covers the 2025-27 school years and must be ratified by union members and approved by the school board before taking effect.

Why it matters

Contract negotiations between school districts and teachers unions can be contentious, with both sides seeking to balance fair compensation with budgetary constraints. This tentative agreement in Moorhead represents a collaborative effort to find common ground and provide stability for the district's educators and students.

The details

The tentative agreement was reached after nine bargaining sessions and 9.5 hours of mediation between the district and Education Moorhead. Both sides praised the professionalism of their negotiation teams and the mediator throughout the process, which resulted in 16 tentative agreements.

  • Contract negotiations began in May 2025.
  • The tentative agreement was reached on January 30, 2026.

The players

Moorhead Area Public Schools

The public school district serving the city of Moorhead, Minnesota.

Education Moorhead

The teachers union representing educators in the Moorhead Area Public Schools district.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The tentative agreement must be ratified by Education Moorhead members and approved by the Moorhead School Board before taking effect. Additional details will be released after those votes.

The takeaway

This tentative contract agreement in Moorhead represents a collaborative effort between the school district and teachers union to find a balance between fair compensation and budgetary constraints, providing stability for the district's educators and students.