Woodland teacher contract extended

Woodland Elementary District 50 has struck a one-year contract extension with the union for its teachers and support staff, with the idea of beginning work on a new deal when the next academic season begins.

Gurnee-based District 50 board members approved the contract extension by a 5-0 vote Wednesday evening.

Board President Bruce Bohren abstained because his wife is a district library clerk, while colleague Michael Bond was linked into the meeting via telephone after the vote. Bond, who also serves as a state senator, stated his support for the contract extension during the meeting.

Under the extended deal for the 2008-09 academic year, base salary increases for teachers will range from 1.1 percent to 5.92 percent, depending on education and experience. Support employees will get a 75-cent increase in their hourly wages.

Woodland's union local, a branch of the Lake County Federation of Teachers, agreed to a two-year contract extension in 2006. Bohren said the one-year extension that's been ratified by the school district and union provides time for talks on a long-term deal expected to begin in August.

"In our case," Bohren said Friday, "we wanted to make sure the staff had a contract at the start of the year."

Woodland officials said negotiating teams on both sides met periodically during the academic year. They relied on the Harvard Negotiations Project, which is a model based on the establishment of working relationships that include trust, respect and two-way communication.

Judy Ryan, interim president of the Woodland union, complimented school officials for creating a collaborative negotiating atmosphere. District 50 Superintendent Joy Swoboda said she wants the cordial relationship to continue.

"Positive working relationships have been developed over time through open and honest communication with one another," Swoboda said.