Kaneland teacher raises won't delay middle school opening

The teachers contract ratified recently by the Kaneland District 302 board of education and the Kaneland Education Association will cost the district $860,000 the first year and about $1.1 million each in the second and third year, according to Jeff Schuler, assistant superintendent for human resources.

The contract runs through the 2010-11 school year. The additional costs will not delay the August 2009 opening of the middle school under construction on Harter Road in Sugar Grove.

"We're definitely pleased to have the contract resolved," Schuler said. "Some of our board members are concerned about the incremental costs and we recognize that it will cost some money to get it done. But we negotiated with the certainty that the middle school will open."

The board voted 4-3 Oct. 27 to accept terms of the contract.

The deal includes overall salary increases of 4.86 percent this year, 6.21 percent next year and 5.6 percent the third year. The teachers wanted increases of 5.8 percent, 6.5 percent and 5.1 percent. The district had proposed 4.5 percent, 6 percent and 5.3 percent increases. Raises will not be the same for all teachers since the salary schedule takes into account years of experience and additional professional education, such as a master's degree.

The Kaneland teachers union, which gave notice to strike but came to an agreement without a work stoppage, maintained that salaries were lower than in neighboring districts. The teachers wanted incentives to stay, expressing a concern the district was used as a training ground, with teachers going to districts that paid more after a few years of experience. The new base salaries are $34,614 this year, $35,825 next year and $36,649 the third year.

Retirement was another focus of negotiations and the union was able to bargain for a new retirement incentive program.

The program will pay retiring teachers who qualify a lump sum not to exceed $850 for each year of service. This is in addition to normal retirement benefits.

The benefit will be maximized if a teacher gives the district four years notice before retiring. Those who give three years notice will receive 90 percent of the lump sum, two years notice earns 80 percent and one year's notice equals a 70 percent payout. Those who do not give notice will receive 50 percent of the amount.