New contract would give Dist. 301 teachers a 10.7% raise in first year

Administrators in Burlington-based Central Unit School District 301 have reached an agreement with the Central Education Association on a new three-year contract ahead of the new school year.

Pending board approval, the agreement would take effect immediately and continue through the 2024-2025 school year. It would provide a 10.7% average base salary increase in the first year of the agreement.

"The CEA is pleased to announce our members have ratified this new teacher contract," Central Education Association President David Chapman said in a news release. "We feel this contract will help attract and retain educators while continuing to provide a great education to our students."

The second and third years would include 4.6% annual raises. The agreement also would create stipends for future programs, setting the stage for new sports and activities such as lacrosse, bowling, robotics and bass fishing.

"We are excited that we'll be able to offer sports and activities that we haven't been able to in the past at Central," Superintendent Todd Stirn said in the news release. "However, it also shows the unprecedented growth we are experiencing and the need to satisfy the needs of our stakeholders."

Once the agreement has been approved by the school board, it will be available online at Central301.net.