Glenbard District 87 board approves Glenbard Education Association agreement with new schedule, cost savings

On Jan. 23, the Glenbard Township High School District 87 board of education approved a memorandum of agreement with the Glenbard Education Association (GEA), the union that represents the district's licensed staff. The memorandum of agreement includes a new school day schedule to be phased in over the next two school years.

The schedule for the 2023-24 school year includes:

• An eight-period day every day;

• Glenbard Hour on Mondays and Fridays, and;

• Shifting early dismissal for Professional Learning Community teacher collaboration time to Tuesday afternoons.

The schedule for the 2024-25 school year includes:

• Eight periods per day on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays with Glenbard Hour on Mondays and Fridays; and a block schedule with four 90-minute periods on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

• A potential later start time and dismissal time, anticipated to be no more than 30 minutes later. Changes to the school day start time and dismissal time are dependent upon busing logistics.

GEA members ratified the memorandum on Jan. 20.

The number one need identified by Glenbard students, parents/guardians and staff in a November 2021 survey about the school day was building time into the schedule for student supports and learning extensions throughout the school day. The Glenbard Hour addresses those needs.

During Glenbard Hour on Mondays and Fridays, every teacher and every student will be available.

Students can go to their teacher for the supports they need during the school day but outside of regular class time.

Students can plan on gaining support during the school day - they wouldn't have to come in early, stay late or give up their lunch period.

All students will have access to support and enrichment. Most Glenbard Hour sessions will be devoted to student agency: students getting help from their teachers; extending students' learning; students collaborating with peers; making up tests and labs; receiving extra support and learning from college/postsecondary presentations.

The Glenbard Hour also will feature advisory sessions on topics such as course selection, safety drills, surveys, standardized testing, assemblies, award ceremonies, postsecondary planning and more. All of these topics currently impinge on academic classes.

The memorandum of agreement also includes several financial elements. A one-time stipend provides compensation for additional work necessary for teachers to prepare for the school day change.

Recurring contractual adjustments were made to hourly rates for work done outside the school day and changes to the health care plan design and premiums will help both the district and employees save money over the life of the contract. An estimated annual (recurring) savings to the district of over $100,000 will be achieved.

The GEA contract is extended to June 30, 2026.

Board president Margaret DeLaRosa said, "Our board is excited to bring an unprecedented level of support for students with the introduction of the Glenbard Hour, while providing teachers more time in their professional learning communities to further their instructional capabilities. This school day change moves us closer to providing early college experience for more students through Advanced Placement and dual credit courses and achieving our vision of our Profile of a Graduate. The collaboration of the administration, board and faculty continues to be student-centered. We look forward to year two where further collaboration with our sender school districts will bring a change in the start of the day and further opportunities for deeper learning."

Glenbard Education Association (GEA) President Kevin Sutton said, "Student success is everyone's number one priority in Glenbard District 87, and we want to make the path to success more attainable for every student in our district. To that end, the GEA and the district have agreed on a new school day schedule that we feel will benefit our students, and we accomplished this because of the collaborative relationship and trust that has been established over the years."