District 101 strikes deal on 5-year contract for support personnel

A new five-year contract affecting support personnel in Batavia School District 101 promises pay increases of roughly 4% yearly.

The Batavia Education Support Professionals Association and the school board recently reached a deal on the contract running July 1 through June 30, 2025. It includes a total salary increase of 4.9% in the first year, and 3.6% to 4% in subsequent years.

"The board's key objectives were to maintain competitive wages and comply with Illinois' new minimum wage requirements," said Tony Inglese, district chief financial officer and chief negotiator for the school board. "BESPA employees perform important and essential duties that support our students. Without their help each day, we cannot educate our students."

Employees will earn an additional 65 cents per hour each year, with an average increase of about 4%. The largest annual increases will be earned by the lowest paid employees. The terms of the agreement include an enhanced retirement bonus and improving job descriptions as positions evolve to meet the changing needs of students, officials said.

"We are very pleased with what we've been able to accomplish," union President Sherry Poulos said. "Both the administration and BESPA have a long history of working together in the best interests of the students. This agreement is another example of that commitment."