New District 95 contract calls for a 2% yearly increase in pay

The Lake Zurich Unit District 95 school board and teachers union have approved a new three-year teachers' contract.

The contract calls for a 2 percent yearly increase in salaries, an amount officials said is reasonable for taxpayers. It goes into effect on Aug. 30.

“I feel that everyone worked towards a common goal of a contract that's fair and also responsible to our taxpayers,” school board President Kathy Brown said.

The Lake Zurich Education Association, the sole negotiating agent for all the regularly employed certified professional personnel, ratified terms of the new contract on May 23.

With 90 percent of members voting, only about 6 percent weren't in favor of the new agreement.

The school board unanimously adopted the new contract the following day.

Brown said both sides worked cooperatively to get the contract completed.

“We're lucky to have such a good relationship with our association,” she said.

Officials called the adoption of the contract a smooth process.

“The goals of this contract were to work cooperatively and collaboratively to come up with a responsible agreement, and I believe we have done that. It was a very positive experience,” said LZEA President Kathy Perkins in a news release.