The Merrillville School Board ratified a one-year contract with its teacher union on Tuesday that provides teachers with a $2,000 raise.
The unanimous vote on the contract came days ahead of the state’s Nov. 15 deadline.
After the meeting, Tina Schultz, president of the Merrillville Classroom Teachers Association, said teachers supported the new pact.
“We got a raise. We’re good and we’re very pleased with it,” she said.
Schultz said the new agreement provides a 2% increase for teachers.
Given the current uncertain school financial climate, Schultz said teachers considered it a fair offer.
“I thank the board and Dr. (Dexter) Suggs and the team for working together.” Suggs is the superintendent.
In 2023, the teachers’ contract provided an average raise of 10% for teachers in the first year and about 4% in the second year.
Schultz said the contract brought parity to the salary schedule and could influence teachers not to leave for higher-paying jobs.
Merrillville has about 400 teachers. Presently, a first-year teacher makes $51,000 annually.
In other business, the school board heard presentations from a design company and a construction manager who have joined forces to compete for an extensive renovation project at the high school.
The firms include Indianapolis-based Gibraltar Design and the Skillman Corp. in Merrillville.
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Jennifer McCormick, former state superintendent of public instruction and the 2024 Democratic gubernatorial candidate, spoke on behalf of Gibraltar in her new role as chairman of its board of directors.
“We love our partnership here in Northwest Indiana. Dr. Suggs was very clear on having high expectations. For me, it was comforting because that’s who we are. We continue to put kids first,” she said.
Suggs said after the meeting he didn’t have a price tag on the project and the board was still reviewing design and construction firms.
Suggs said the high school’s first floor needs revitalization.
“Parts of it are dated without a doubt, and we want to create an environment where not only our students, but our staff want to be in,” he said.
He said part of the project involves converting the old cafeteria into a culinary arts learning center for career and technical education students.
The project would also create multi-purpose rooms for staff meetings and professional development.
“It’s just a renovation, but the design might be challenging without a doubt…” Suggs said.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.