Indian Prairie School District 204 teachers will receive a one-time $1,500 bonus and a 5% raises in the first two years of a four-year contract approved Monday by the school board.
The agreement reached with the teachers union also provides salary bumps in the final two years at a rate equal to the consumer price index capped at 5% and increases sick leave from 12 to 13 days, with additional modifications for birth or adoption of a child and bereavement time.
Additionally, members of the Indian Prairie Education Association who work as coaches, club sponsors, summer school and extended school year teachers, internal substitutes and lunchroom supervisors will see an increase in stipends for their extra duties.
The starting salary for first-year teachers will go up by $2,356 to $49,476.
A week ago, 76% of the more than 2,000 union members ratified the contract. The union represents nearly 70% of the district’s workforce.
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Also included in the deal is language that allows either side to terminate the contract after the second year if the district experiences significant financial hardship or there’s an increase in revenue due to legislative changes from the state.
Board President Laurie Donahue in a news release said the agreement is significant given the current teacher shortage.
“We are pleased to finalize a new contract that supports our teaching staff needs while meeting our fiscal responsibility to deliver a balanced budget,” Donahue said. “This new contract helps us to continue to keep and attract top talent in our district.”
IPEA President Katie Popp said in the release that the deal reflects the collaborative relationship the association has with the school board and recognizes the quality of education the staff provides to students.
District 204 students consistently perform higher than state averages on standardized tests, and three District 204 high schools recently made U.S. News & World Report’s national list of Best High Schools and were ranked in the top 50 for the state.
Superintendent Adrian Talley in the release said he is especially proud of what the staff has been able to accomplish over the past two years.
“Our teachers continue to rise to the ever changing occasions with aplomb, dedication and exemplary standards,” Talley said.