D230 Board, Teachers Union Settle On 3-Year Contract

ORLAND PARK, IL — Consolidated High School District 230 and teachers union reached a three-year contract agreement after several months of negotiations that included federal mediation.

More than 300 members of the Dist. 230 Federation of Teachers turned out in November to a school board meeting in a show of solidarity when contact negotiations had dragged on for months. The union represents teachers, counselors, social workers and psychologists at Andrew, Sandburg and Stagg high schools.

The overall cost amounts to 19.52 percent over the next three years including increased compensation for co-curricular stipends and additional pay opportunities including supervision, scorekeeping, chaperoning, etc., a district press release said.

The negotiations were initiated by the Teachers’ Association on April 1st and continued into the current school year. The Dist. 230 Board of Education voted to approve the contract, and the Teacher’s Association ratified the agreement with a 90 percent approval. The contract includes:

• Annual increases to the salary schedule to ensure District 230 remains competitive in the south suburbs and beyond
• Co-Curricular stipend increases to ensure continuity for athletic and activities programs
• Increase in retirement benefits for staff who meet eligibility criteria, which has mutual benefits and long-term advantages for both retirees and the district
• Ability to offer years of experience for hard-to-fill positions as determined by ISBE and the School Board
• Tuition reimbursement to current employees with a Professional Educator License to work with administration to pursue endorsements in hard-to-fill positions

This contract will help District 230 attract and retain excellent educators. Remaining competitive is essential and the increases fall within the average of other similar districts across the Chicagoland area and southwest suburbs.

“Since April, the Teachers’ Association and School Board participated in negotiations, with the support of a federal mediator, to navigate challenges posed by an unpredictable economic climate and a difficult job market for future educators,”D230 Supt. Dr. Robert Nolting said. “This 3-year contract ensures fairness for our staff while maintaining fiscal responsibility for District 230 taxpayers.”

D230 Board President Dr. Lynn Zeder call the agreement “a financial investment in our teachers that would impact current and future students without requiring additional “effort” on local taxpayers.

“This contract underscores the board’s dedication to our educators and our collective goal of inspiring and empowering all Eagles, Chargers, and T-Bolts,” Zeder said.