Teachers could pay big penalty for breaking contract

(Grand Forks, ND)  --  Teachers who break their contract with the Grand Forks School District will have to pay more than in the past.  

New rules approved by the school board last week require teachers to pay ten percent of their annual salary back to the district as liquidated damages.  

Certified staff will be required to pay between five and nine percent.  

That's a much higher penalty than what is required for early release from Minot or Bismarck schools.  

Officials say the increase in teachers leaving mid-year and disrupting student learning prompted the decision to boost financial penalties for early release.