It’s not uncommon for negotiations for new teachers’ contracts to last several months.
But that wasn’t at all the case recently in Butler Elementary District 53, where a new, three-year deal was ratified by teachers Aug. 31 and by the District 53 Board Sept. 11. Negotiations began May 1, and a tentative agreement was reached June 26.
“The entire negotiation process was mutually respectful,” said Patti Meyer, president of the Oak Brook Education Association, which represents the district’s 64 teachers. “Both sides came to the table prepared and ready to do what was best for teachers, and ultimately the students of District 53. We are proud of our new contract.”
Meyer and District 53 Superintendent Paul O’Malley agreed that the new process for the district of using interest based collective bargaining worked well. That type of bargaining is a collaborative approach to resolving labor and management disputes, according to the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service. Through the process, parties proactively identify durable solutions to outcomes at the bargaining table. Agreements are based on mutual and individual interests rather than positions.
“The process went smoothly,” Meyer said. “The Board of Education and the OBEA came to the table with similar interests and goals; this definitely helped.”
O’Malley said the district and the Oak Brook Education Association worked together to achieve the desired outcome, using the interest based bargaining model that aligns with district priorities to continue to provide an excellent academic program, retain talented teachers, and remain fiscally responsible.
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District 53 Board President Kavitha Neerukonda said in a statement that the district is pleased with the end result of the new agreement.
“The Board of Education spent a considerable amount of time in advance of these sessions evaluating the existing agreement, recognizing its shortcomings, and prioritizing measures to retain our District 53 teachers,” Neerukonda said. “We would like to thank the OBEA representatives for their professionalism and openness throughout the process.”
The three-year contract runs from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2026 and provides for raises of 4% the first year and 5% each of the following two years.
A one-time teacher salary adjustment to restore salary equity between teachers with the same educational degree and years of District 53 experience credit also was negotiated and included in the contract.
“District 53 does not implement a salary schedule or steps and lanes to determine salaries,” Meyer said. “Therefore, inequities needed to be corrected between current employees and newer employees to the district with the same years and education.”
The new contract also streamlines and increases stipends for extramural sports coaches and performing arts sponsors to encourage more teachers to volunteer for extracurricular activity assignments.
In addition, the new deal removed contractual limitation regarding approval of online graduate coursework and increased the maximum number of credit hours teachers can take with tuition reimbursement from six to nine credit hours per school year, a move that provides greater flexibility for teachers to pursue professional development opportunities.
During contract negotiations, District 53 was represented by Neerukonda, Board Vice President Craig Donnelly and Paul O’Malley. The Oak Brook Education Association was represented by its leadership team of Meyer, Ellen Wozny, and Jill Vonnahme.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.