Strike averted: Naperville District 203, teachers reach tentative deal

Just days before a possible strike, the Naperville Unit District 203 school board and the union representing its teachers have reached a tentative contract agreement.

The teachers union had set its official strike date for Tuesday. Classes, however, will not be disrupted, the district and union officials said in a joint statement.

“Our priority has always been to provide students with the high-quality education they deserve, and this agreement helps us continue that work,” school board President Charles Cush said in the statement Friday afternoon. “This reflects our dedication to ensuring Naperville 203 remains an exemplary school district for students and educators.”

Details of the agreement will be presented to the respective parties for consideration and a vote.

“We are so incredibly grateful to our students, families and the entire community for all their support during this difficult time. We could not have done this without you,” said Ross Berkley, president of the Naperville Unit Education Association. “We are proud to say we’ve reached a tentative agreement that values our students and our educators. One that will continue to meet the high standard for excellence that we have here in District 203.”

The terms of the agreement will not be made public until after both sides have had an opportunity to review the full document and it has been ratified by NUEA and approved by the school board.

Both sides had entered negotiations Friday with a federal mediator.

District officials Thursday agreed to pull any contract language related to the Innovative School Experience proposal, LeeAnn Betz, the district's spokeswoman, confirmed Friday. The proposal, which drew strong opposition from teachers and community members when introduced this year, included changes to school start and end times and block scheduling at the high school level.

Salary and potential changes to the school day had been among the key sticking points in the talks.

Contract talks began in February. The former contract expired on June 30, and teachers returned to work last week without a new contract.

The union represents more than 1,500 certified staff members, including teachers, physical therapists, psychologists and counselors. Union members work in the district’s 22 schools and serve roughly 16,000 students.