Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 has approved a new four-year contract for support staff.
The District 181 board approved the deal with the Hinsdale Educational Support Staff after that group’s union voted to ratify it Aug. 27.
The new contract runs through June 30, 2030. It includes a 5% wage increase for Buildings and Grounds employees for the 2026-27 school year and a 4% increase during that same period for other support staff. The contract covers 189 district employees, said Gina Herrmann, assistant superintendent of Human Resources.
Wage increases during the remaining three years of the agreement will be tied to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
The larger wage increase for Buildings and Grounds employees during the first year came out of the negotiating process, which began in October 2025, Herrmann said.
“As part of the negotiations process, the district reviews current market rates for each employee group,” she said. “That review indicated that Buildings and Grounds employees were being compensated somewhat below the market rate, so the agreement includes an adjustment intended to make their wages more competitive.”
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Herrmann said the difference in wage increases is not unprecedented.
“During the previous round of negotiations, the district made similar market-based adjustments for instructional assistants,” she said.
Gerianne Salach, Hinsdale Educational Support Staff Association past president, said ratification of the new contract came “after a long and thoughtful negotiation process.”
“The HESS Negotiating Committee truly appreciates the efforts of the D181 board and administration to bring a fair agreement to our membership,” Salach said.
District 181 board President Grace Shin said the new agreement demonstrates the board’s commitment to supporting staff, while being responsible stewards of the community’s resources and recognizing current market conditions.
“We sincerely thank the HESS Association, our board members, and the administrative team for their collaborative work throughout this process,” Shin said.
Along with wage increases, the new agreement also includes structural benefit changes designed to encourage enrollment in the district’s Health Maintenance Organization or High-Deductible Health Plan, helping balance short- and long-term health insurance costs.
The new contract also recognizes employees who conclude their careers with the district by providing eligible retirees with a 5% salary increase during their final four years of service.
“Student success relies heavily on our dedicated support staff,” said District 181 Superintendent Jim Wipke.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.