Editorial: Tribune Thumbs

To Albert Lea High School students participating in Tigers’ Roar.

Albert Lea has a lot of talented youth. That was clear from the annual Tigers’ Roar performances this weekend at Albert Lea High School.

There was everything from singing, dancing, rapping and playing instruments to even some comedy.

Congratulations to all of the students involved and for all those who supported the talent show, which doubles as a fundraiser for the fine arts programs at the school.

 

To the tentative labor agreement between Albert Lea Area Schools and the Albert Lea Education Association.

We were pleased to hear that after several months of negotiations, Albert Lea school officials and the Albert Lea Education Association has reached a tentative agreement for more than 200 teachers for 2015-17.

According to district officials, the teachers will see an 8.45 percent increase over the two years, which includes increases to both pay and benefits. With pay alone, the teachers will see a 3 percent increase for 2015-16 and a 2.5 percent increase for 2016-17.

This compares to an overall increase of 9.37 percent from 2013-15, a 6.76 percent increase from 2011-13 and a 3.99 percent increase from 2009-11.

The school board is slated to vote on the contract at its March 28 meeting.

 

To violence at a campaign rally for presidential candidate Donald Trump.

We have always been a large promoter of involvement with the political process, but with that must come responsibility and civility.

We say that after hearing disheartening news of violence between protesters and supporters prior to a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Friday in Chicago.

Trump ultimately canceled the rally due to safety concerns, but at that point the damage was already done.

If you want to get involved to speak out for or against a candidate, please do so respectfully and responsibly.