Huntley District 158 support staff gets new contract

The Huntley Unit District 158 board has approved a new contract with the Huntley Education Support Staff Association, though it passed along slate lines.

School board members approved the contract with its support staff union in a 5-2 vote on July 17.

Five board members, elected or reelected in April with support from the teachers union and a grass-roots group dissatisfied with the school board’s direction, voted in favor of the contract.

Two board members, Andy Bittman and Laura Murray, voted against the agreement. Both were elected in 2023 on a platform that emphasized reducing property taxes, among other priorities.

“This contract reflects a mutual commitment to supporting our students and staff, and we’re pleased to have it in place as we begin a new school year together,” board President Paul Troy said in a news release.

Some of the staff members covered by the union include bus drivers, mechanics, maintenance workers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, cooks and nurses.

Superintendent Jessica Lombard said in the release that the district’s support staff “play a vital role helping us create a safe, supportive and personalized learning environment for our students.”

“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to collaboration and the success of our entire school community,” Lombard said.

According to the contract, base compensation for staff for the upcoming school year will range from $16.28 per hour for student assistants, bus aides, midday supervisors and cooks to $30.45 per hour for nurses.

Current employees will get a 6% raise to their hourly rates, according to the contract. Base rates will go up 5%.

In the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years, returning employees will get a raise tied to the property tax cap law, with a 3% floor and 5% ceiling.

Employees who have five years of service will receive an additional 75 cents per hour raise. Those with 10 years of service will get $1.30 more per hour, while employees with 15 years will get $1.90 more per hour. Finally, employees with 20 years of seniority will receive an additional $2.55 per hour.

Other changes involve eliminating a clause allowing the district to subcontract transportation services in certain situations. The new contract says the district and the union will meet to negotiate terms and conditions if there’s an “extreme shortage of staff in currently recognized positions.”

Pay will be retroactive to July 1, and the contract is in place until June 30, 2028.