Helena teachers’ union votes down contract offer

The Helena Education Association representing area teachers this week voted down a contract presented by the Helena public school district after months of negotiations.  Of the total 462 association members who voted Tuesday, 416 voted against the contract while 46 voted for it, Jane Shawn, the association’s president, confirmed to Montana Free Press. Shawn told MTFP Wednesday that the largest remaining sticking points are over salary and benefits. “With the increase in insurance costs and the 1% [raise], most of our educators would actually be bringing home less money than they did las