Salaries To Increase For D202 Support Staff As Part Of New Contract

PLAINFIELD, IL — Support staff at Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 will see an increase in wages over the next three years thanks to a new deal approved May 29 by the Board of Education.

The contract between District 202 and members of the Plainfield Association of Support Staff will close the gap between salaries and market value. The group represents about 1,100 non-certified staff including custodians; grounds, building and maintenance staff; most secretaries; bookkeepers; clerks; nurses; paraprofessionals; lunchroom supervisors; and campus monitors.

The three-year plan includes differentiated raises tailored to individual employees to ensure each is paid a competitive wage that helps District 202 "retain current and recruit future employees," according to Superintendent Glenn Wood. To do so, staff studied benchmark salaries for various jobs at 18 comparable school districts.

"This contract marks a monumental milestone for District 202," Wood said in a statement. "By prioritizing fair compensation and sustainable financial practices, we are strategically positioned to meet the ever-evolving needs of our students and community."

In a news release, Director of Community Relations Linda Taylor said PASS members "voted overwhelmingly" to ratify the new deal.

"Other districts should take note of the great working relationship we have with each other and see that it does not have to be adversarial for each party to get what they need," PASS President Nicole Swanson said in a statement. "This is definitely a win for both of us."