The head of the St. Paul teachers union is retiring at the end of this school year.
Nick Faber, 57, an elementary science teacher, was president of the St. Paul Federation of Educators for four years and previously vice president.
In March 2020, he led the union’s first strike since 1946, which ended just as the coronavirus pandemic was taking hold.
Under Faber, the union continued to use its biennial contract negotiations to secure more staff in the schools, including nurses, social workers, school psychologists, counselors and behavior specialists, as well as teachers for special education students and those learning English.
The union also worked with the district to invest in restorative practices in hopes of improving relationships and reducing student suspensions.
On revenue, Faber successfully urged the district to pursue a property tax increase in 2018 while also publicly pressuring big companies and non-profits to give money to public schools. But the union refused to join the school district in applying for funding through Q Comp, a lucrative state program whose requirements include rewarding teachers with nominal performance pay.
This school year, he’s tried to delay the reopening of schools during the pandemic, saying mitigation measures aren’t enough to keep students and their families safe.
Faber, who on Monday told the union’s executive board about his retirement, declined an interview, saying he didn’t want to overshadow or interfere with union elections.
The union is taking applications through March 18 for president, secretary and nine seats on the executive board.
Applicants are being asked to describe what the union needs to do to “break down racial barriers in our union … and deepen this commitment to equity.”