Lisle District 202 approves 3-year pact with teachers

A new three-year contract has been approved for roughly 150 teachers and other certified staff members in Lisle Unit District 202.

The educators will receive an average annual salary increase of 3.88 percent in the first year of the pact and 3.38 percent in each of the second and third years.

District 202's school board voted 5-2 to approve the contract during a special Monday night meeting.

Board members Pam Ahlmann, Amy Narot, Eunice McConville, Anne Blaeske and Meg Sima supported the contract. Board members Bob Tarasewicz and Wendy Nadeau opposed it.

The Lisle Education Association, which represents the teachers, ratified the agreement Aug. 18.

"This three-year contract is an excellent example of the ongoing collaborative relationship that we are so proud of and the terms reached were in the best interest of the students, teachers, administration, board of education and the community," Patricia Kerback, president of the Lisle Education Association, said in a statement.

Ahlmann, who is the school board president, said the final contract is "a culmination of extensive discussions and compromises and provides a fair and competitive wage relative to our neighboring school districts."

The teachers, administrators and board members who negotiated the deal met about 15 times over a six-month period.

Officials say the annual raise amounts were determined by comparing District 202 to neighboring districts such as Naperville Unit District 203, Indian Prairie Unit District 204 and Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200.

Seventeen percent of District 202's certified staff members are at the top of the pay scale. Right now, they are paid a base salary of $100,788 a year. Teachers at the bottom of the scale make $41,817 a year.

In addition to the annual pay raises, minor language changes were made throughout the contract in an effort to improve clarity and reflect changes in the law, officials said.

The pact also updates various athletic, fine arts, activities and student club stipends "to better align with neighboring school districts," officials said.

"Our educational professionals always put students first," Ahlmann said, "and this agreement demonstrates that as a community we value and appreciate their efforts and commitment to the students, families and community of District 202."

District 202 serves about 1,500 students in one high school, one junior high and two elementary schools.