Lakota Approves New Classified Staff (LSA) Labor Contract with 2.5% Raises

What happened

The Lakota Board of Education approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the LSA (classified staff union) at the August 24, 2026 meeting. An earlier proposal with differentiated raises by job classification failed ratification by LSA membership in May; after renewed interest-based bargaining, a revised agreement providing a uniform 2.5% raise for all classifications was ratified by LSA on August 19 and then approved by the board.

Why it matters to families

This is a completed labor agreement affecting all classified staff (bus drivers, aides, food service, etc.) across the district, with direct budget and staffing implications and a history of a failed ratification vote showing internal disagreement over pay equity among job classifications.

The evidence

Doctor Whiteley explained: 'it was actually unsuccessful. It was not ratified... they came back in July and did some more interest based bargaining around salaries... a 2.5% raise for all... they had a ratification vote on the 19th and they passed that ratification... it has come before you as a board of education to seek your approval,' followed by board roll call approval of item C.

The source