Huntley District 158 board to vote on 1-year teacher contract, 3-year high school principal deal
The Huntley Unit District 158 school board plans to approve a new teachers' contract with the Huntley Education Association and extend Huntley High School principal Marcus Belin's contract for three years at its meeting Thursday night, officials said.
District 158 released a statement Tuesday that the school board and HEA had reached an agreement for a contract for the 2020-21 school year. The meeting is at 6 p.m. Thursday at the district office on Dr. John Burkey Drive in Algonquin.
Both organizations felt the one-year agreement was appropriate with the uncertainties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This agreement recognizes the outstanding work our staff members have done both before and during this pandemic period while maintaining our responsibility to taxpayers,” Superintendent Scott Rowe said. “This contract shows our appreciation for staff, and our students and families will benefit from stability within our team of educators.”
Among other points, the contract makes progress in bringing the district's contributions toward employee health insurance and Teachers' Retirement System benefits in line with other area districts, increases compensation on steps along the salary schedule and adds more specific language defining manageable class sizes.
“The district has built a reputation as one of the premier school districts, not just in Illinois, but in the country,” HEA president Brad Aney said. “We're pleased that this contract reflects the hard work of our members and is a positive step in ensuring that we can retain those who do so much for our students.”
The HEA approved the contract June 10.
Belin, 32, has been Huntley High's principal for three years. His new contract will take him through the 2022-23 school year. He will make $137,247 next year and at least that much over the final two years. The contract states the board retains the right to adjust the annual compensation and it shall not be lower than the first year.