No Public Battle For Lyons Township High Union Pact

LA GRANGE, IL – Three years ago, the union for teacher's aides publicly battled with Lyons Township High School officials during contract negotiations.

That didn't happen this time around.

On Monday, the school board approved a new four-year contract.

In the first year, the aides, known formally as "paraeducators," will get $4-an-hour raises, followed by 4 percent annual hikes in the last three years.

With the new contract, starting pay for aides is $23 an hour, the school said.

During Monday's board meeting, Lisa Hammon, co-president of the LT Paraeducator Association, said she was glad negotiators reached a deal just before the school year started.

"The feedback we have received from our members has been overwhelmingly positive," Hammon said. "I feel that we can take pride in the strides we have taken to improve the quality of life for our (members) through this contract."

Board President Tim Albores said it was good to hear her comments.

"Although we didn't always see eye to eye, there is a genuine collaborative effort to balance strong financial stewardship with a clear commitment to honoring and supporting our paraeducators," he said.

In 2022, the union waged a months-long public relations effort for higher wages. Members staged a protest outside a board meeting on a cold night.

Under the contract approved that year, the aides were slated to see a 32 percent increase in pay over four years. The agreement was retroactive by nearly a year.