Minneapolis teachers ratify 2-year contract

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minneapolis teachers have ratified a contract with the school district that takes steps toward smaller class sizes.

The Minneapolis Federation of Teachers says 66 percent of the teachers and service professionals who voted backed the contract. About 62 percent of the union’s membership cast ballots.

The school board will vote on the two-year contract at its April 8 meeting. It covers the current and 2014-15 school years, and includes raises of about 2 percent per year.

Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson says the contract puts students first.

The union says it includes a class-size target of 18 students for grade K-3 in high-priority schools and a commitment to bring all class sizes down over time.

Negotiators for the district and the union reached the agreement March 1 after nine months of talks.