The Lake Superior School District have been negotiating teachers’ contracts since June of last year. Several teachers and their families held a rally Tuesday evening in support of higher wages, specifically a 4.5% raise.

Kyle Chalupsky, a teacher at two harbors high school, says what they’re asking for isn’t too much. They are also seeking a 3.31% increase in wages next year.

“Right now it’s just about pay it, that’s not even talking about health insurance or sick days or comp days personal time. This is strictly for our wage,” Chalupsky said.

Chalupsky said even if they secured the wage increases they’re seeking, it still wouldn’t help meeting all their needs.

“I think in order for us to catch up, we need like 9.25% or something to catch up with inflation. We’re not even close to there with them offering a three and three, we’re at 6%. That’s just not going to do it.”

The support from the Two Harbors community is high. Although Lake Superior School District Superintendent Jay Belcastro said they’re just might not be enough funds.

“We certainly recognize inflation is real,” Belcastro said. “We appreciate the efforts of all of our staff, including our teachers, but also the challenges of what do we give in negotiations to ensure the viability of our district.”

Superintendent Belcastro also said one solution may be an operational tax levy. This would provide additional funds from seasonal property values in lake county, but residents aren’t fully supportive.

“Part of my job as superintendent is to try to go out and secure out additional dollars. We’re at an unfair disadvantage because of our high seasonal property value,” Belcastro said. “There’s a lot of districts in our situation that don’t have operating levies on the book. The financial implications are just interesting. A lot of those districts haven’t settled yet. I think that’s part of the problem.”

The next Lake Superior School District Board meeting will discuss contract negotiations with teachers on Tuesday, March 12th.

For more information about the Lake Superior School District you can read more here. Also for other stories happening in Two Harbors you can read more here.