2nd Tentative Agreement Reached Between Valley View Council, VVSD Board Of Education

ROMEOVILLE, IL — After voting down the first tentative agreement earlier this month, the Valley View School District Board of Education and the Valley View Council have reached a second tentative agreement, according to a news release from the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Valley View Council members will vote on the second tentative agreement early next week. Members voted no to the first tentative agreement with eighty-six percent of union members voting, and 70.66 percent of them saying no.

The Valley View Council and the Board of Education negotiated for nearly eight hours on Tuesday to reach this second tentative agreement.

“Our bargaining team is presenting a new tentative agreement that addresses the concerns of our members and affirms our commitment to work together with the district on changes going forward," Valley View Council President Jared Ploger said in a news release. "As more and more is asked of our staff, it’s important that we ensure our district remains competitive and fair. It’s also important that we approach decision-making, especially with something as significant as the structure of the school day, in a careful and collaborative manner. We believe this agreement addresses those issues and is a true reflection of what our members need to give our students the education and support they deserve.”

A ratification vote will be held on Monday and Tuesday for Valley View Council members. Teachers and staff at Valley View School District have been working without a contract since the beginning of the school year.

The District and the union have been negotiating since January and started working with a mediator in July. Last month, the council voted overwhelmingly to strike and began the process by filing their intent with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. The union had set a strike date of Sept. 18, before the first tentative agreement last month. The union could call a strike again, if needed.

"We appreciate the willingness of the union leadership to immediately return to the bargaining table," VVSD Board President Steve Quigley said in a statement Thursday. "The Board is prepared to act quickly when it is our turn to vote on the tentative agreement. Again, I would like to thank all of the board members involved in this process, along with the VVSD Senior Administration team led by Superintendent Dr. Keith Wood."