D155 teachers, district agree to no-raise contract
The Crystal Lake High School District 155 board this week approved a 2-year teachers contract that is expected to save the district about $2 million.
Under the contract, which is effective July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2013, about 400 teachers will see their salaries frozen for the next two years and also will make greater contributions to health insurance benefits.
School board members voted 5-0 to ratify the agreement that the teachers union membership voted on last Friday. Board members Jim Nelson and Dave Secrest abstained because their spouses work in the district.
“This is the first time we can recall the teachers agreeing to no increase to the salary schedule,” school board president Ted Wagner said in a prepared statement. “We understand the difficult balance between coming to terms with our teachers and running a district we can afford without providing a greater burden to our taxpayers.”
Justin Hubly, president of the Crystal Lake High School District 155 Education Association, said the contract paves the way for the district’s continued financial stability.
“Members of the association are dedicated to the success of our students,” Hubly said in a joint statement with the board. “This agreement demonstrates our understanding of the current financial climate and our attempts to come to terms that are fair and affordable. It is important to members of the association that our school district is able to maintain its long-term fiscal health.”
The agreement was reached after more than seven months of negotiations. Superintendent Jill Hawk said although the negotiations were rigorous, the new contract represents the shared interests of the board, administration, teachers and members of the community.
“Most important, this agreement supports the focus of our school district: educating our students at the highest level possible,” Hawk said in a statement. “This can only be done with dedicated, high quality teachers who work hard on behalf of our young people.”