For Immediate Release Contact: Johnny Little 314/345-2283

St. Louis Board of Education and Teachers Union Local 420 Reach Agreement

(January 18, 2005) - Teachers Union Local 420 President Mary Armstrong and St. Louis Public Schools Board President Darnetta M. Clinkscale announced final approvals of a new four-year agreement between the school district and its employees. Teachers and the school board both ratified the agreement on Tuesday.

The adoption of the four-year contract ensures that the current school year will continue as scheduled, with schools throughout the district fully staffed with regular teachers and other personnel.

Local 420 and the St. Louis Public Schools reached their agreement Tuesday at 1:45 a.m. following intense negotiations Monday night. Those talks were convened after St. Louis Labor Council President Bob Soutier and St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay persuaded the parties to meet again.

“The district and the teachers can now get on with the business of educating our children,” said Interim Superintendent Pamela Hughes. “That’s our main mission, so now we know that we can stay focused on that task.”

“I am very happy that the district and the teachers have come together and reached an agreement that will ensure that our outstanding teachers will remain in the classroom, and that classes will continue with no interruption of any kind,” Clinkscale said. “The district now looks forward to working with our teachers in a cause that we all believe in: giving our children a truly excellent education.”