New 5-year pact approved in District 207

Maine Township High School District 207 teachers have a new contract just in time for summer break.

School board members early Tuesday approved by a 6-1 vote a five-year agreement with the teachers at Maine West in Des Plaines, and Maine East and Maine South in Park Ridge.

The board vote followed the teachers' ratification on Monday. Talks on a new contract began in February 2007.

The agreement covers teachers retroactive to August 2007 and ahead through Aug. 15, 2012.

"I think both sides worked very hard to find common ground to reach an agreement," board president Joann Braam said.

She called the new agreement "good for students and fair to teachers."

A teachers union representative couldn't be reached for comment.

Teachers netted an average yearly base salary increase of 3.3 percent, district officials said. Teaching assistants will get a yearly base salary increase of 3.5 percent.

Under the new pact, a district insurance committee will meet on a quarterly basis to review insurance costs and to identify potential areas for savings.

District 207's Professional Growth program also will include additional recognition for teachers who receive National Board Certification. Teachers will have the option of getting either professional growth units, which allow them to advance on the salary schedule, or getting a $1,500 stipend every year.

A staff handbook will be created for each of the buildings to include information on teacher working conditions.

District 207 officials wouldn't immediately issue a copy of the approved contract.

A federal mediator was called in last month to help the parties with outstanding issues of salaries, retroactive pay and the length of the new contract.

Board member Marijo Bustos was the lone dissenter.