Grievance
Arbitration Binding — Binding arbitration available
The failure of a Grievant or the Association to act on any grievance within the prescribed time limits, will act as a bar to any attempt to proceed to the next step of the grievance procedure or to arbitration.
Other
Assignment Change Notification — Teacher notified by certified mail within five (5) working days if assignment change is necessary
If a change of assignment is necessary, the teacher will be notified by certified mail within five (5) working days so that person may begin summer preparation for the new assignment.
Other
Association Copier And Computer Access — Association shall have the right to use of a school copier and computer solely for Association business
The Association shall have the right to use of a school copier and computer solely for Association business in such manner as will not interfere with the security of Board maintained data/records.
Other
Association Dues Deduction — Board agrees to deduct from each teacher's pay the dues of the Association provided teacher has executed authorization
The Board agrees to deduct from each teacher's pay the dues of the Association provided that the teacher has previously executed an authorization for such deductions and has not revoked such authorization.
Other
Association Meeting Rights — Association shall have the right to hold meetings on school property as long as such does not interfere with school programs or activities
The Association shall have the right to hold meetings on school property as long as such does not interfere with school programs or activities.
Other
Association President Paid Leave Days — six paid leave days each school year to be utilized by Association President and/or designated representative
The Association shall be granted six (6) paid leave days each school year to be utilized by the Association President and/or his/her designated representative to attend Association conferences or other necessary Association business.
Compensation
Ba Max Salary — BA Step 15 salary 2027-2028
Step 15: 85,891 (BA column, 2027-2028 Teacher Salary Schedule)
Compensation
Ba Min Salary — BA Step 2 salary 2027-2028
Step 2: 55,585 (BA column, 2027-2028 Teacher Salary Schedule)
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr1 — Tuition reimbursement maximum 2025-2026 school year
The Board will provide tuition reimbursement to each teacher meeting the District's requirements for all coursework taken per year up to a maximum annual dollar amount as provided in the second paragraph below. 2025-2026 $4,300
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr2 — 2% to 4.25% annual thereafter
For each school year thereafter through 2029-2030, pay extra duty and stipend schedule increased annually by tax cap CPI but not less than 2% and not more than 4.25%
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr3 — Tuition reimbursement maximum 2027-2028 school year
2027-2028 $4,500
Leave
Bereavement Days — Up to two bereavement days for death of someone very close but outside immediate family without loss of salary or use of sick/personal days
In case of death of someone who is very close to the teacher but outside the immediate family (as defined in Section 9.1 above), up to two (2) bereavement days may be taken for each bereavement as bereavement leave without loss of salary or the use of sick or personal days.
Workday
Class Period Length — No longer than 60 minutes per class period
Length of class periods: No longer than 60 minutes
Workday
Class Periods Per Day — No teacher scheduled to teach more than 8 periods per day
Class periods per day: No teacher scheduled to teach more than 8 periods per day
Compensation
Compensation Classroom Packing — Minimum four (4) hours of compensation for packing up classroom for summer camp or temporary use
Teachers required to pack up their classroom for summer camp or temporary use of their space shall receive a minimum of four (4) hours of compensation.
Compensation
Compensation Classroom Relocation — Minimum eight (8) hours of compensation for full pack-up and vacation due to move or reassignment
Teachers required to fully pack up and vacate their classroom due to a move or reassignment shall receive a minimum of eight (8) hours of compensation.
Other
Complaint Conference Advance Notice — Teacher advised promptly of complaints and offered conference before disciplinary action
The teacher shall be advised promptly of any complaint by a parent, student or other employee regarding a teacher's conduct, which is to be utilized for evaluative or disciplinary purposes. If requested by the teacher, a conference shall be held.
Other
Consulting Teacher Qualifications — Consulting teacher must be rated excellent on most recent evaluation, have at least 5 years teaching experience, maintain tenure status, and possess reasonable familiarity with subject
The consulting teacher must be rated "excellent" on their most recent evaluation, have at least five (5) years of teaching experience, maintain tenure status in the District, and possess "reasonable familiarity" with the subject.
Workday
Contract Days Teacher — Not more than 182 days per school year; 178 student attendance days minimum
Teachers will not be required to work more than 182 days for each of the school years of this 2026-2030 Agreement. Of these days, at least 178 will be student attendance days
Insurance
Dental Coverage — Single coverage: 100% of premium cost; Family: 60% of premium cost
Dental Plan - Single: 100% of premium cost; Family: 60% of premium cost.
Workday
Duty Free Lunch — 40 minutes duty-free lunch period
Duty-free lunch period: 40 minutes
Insurance
Employee Premium Share Pct — Employee+spouse, Employee+Child(ren), Family plans: 80% board contribution for HMO/PPO $1500 deductible
Employee +spouse; Employee +Child(ren); and Family: 80% of premium cost (HMO Medical Plan and PPO Medical Plan $1500 Deductible Plan).
Evaluation
Evaluation Cycle Years — Tenured teachers formally observed at least every two (2) years; minimum of three (3) observations including at least two formal observations conducted each year for non-tenured teachers
Each tenured teacher shall have a summative evaluation conference prior to the last day of the school year, which shall include a performance rating as prescribed by State law, once every three (3) years and informally observed at least every two (2) years.
Grievance
Grievance Steps — Multiple steps including meetings, hearings, and arbitration
At any meeting or hearing held pursuant to this grievance procedure, either party to the meeting or hearing shall have the right to present such relevant evidence and witnesses as it deems appropriate.
Insurance
Health Retiree Dependent — Board single TRS coverage dollar contribution plus $220/month for dependent plan
TRS dependent plan - Board single TRS coverage dollar contribution plus $220/mo.
Insurance
Health Retiree Duration — Board contribution for maximum of 5 years or until Medicare/Medicaid eligible
for a maximum of five (5) years or until the teacher is eligible for Medicare/Medicaid, whichever comes first
Insurance
Health Retiree Single — Board contribution $220/month for retiree TRS single plan
TRS single plan -- $220/mo.
Insurance
Health Retiree Years Eligible — Teachers with minimum 20 years in District 37 eligible for post-retirement health benefits
Teachers who have taught a minimum of twenty (20) years in District 37 and are eligible for the District's Retirement Benefits Plan shall be eligible for Board contribution toward health insurance
Insurance
Health Single Premium — HMO and PPO $1500 deductible plan: employee 90% of premium cost
HMO Medical Plan and PPO Medical Plan ($1500 Deductible Plan) - Employee: 90% of premium cost.
Workday
Instructional Minutes Day — 1200-1240 minutes per week student contact time
Student Contact time per week- 1200-1240
Other
Involuntary Transfer Conference Required — When an involuntary transfer of any teacher becomes necessary, the affected person shall be entitled to a conference with the Superintendent or designee for reasons for such a transfer
When an involuntary transfer of any teacher becomes necessary, the affected person shall be entitled to a conference with the Superintendent or designee for reasons for such a transfer.
Compensation
Lane Advancement Allowed — Yes; horizontal advancement based on approved coursework
To receive credit toward horizontal advancement on the salary schedule, evidence of completion of pre-approved coursework must be submitted by October 1 or March 1.
Compensation
Ma Max Salary — MA Step 25 salary 2027-2028
Step 25: 127,947 (MA column, 2027-2028 Teacher Salary Schedule)
Compensation
Ma Min Salary — MA Step 2 salary 2027-2028
Step 2: 60,294 (MA column, 2027-2028 Teacher Salary Schedule)
Other
Mediation Cost Sharing — shared equally by the parties concerned
Any costs incurred through mediation shall be shared equally by the parties concerned.
Other
Negotiation Commencement Date — not later than April 1st of the final contract year
Negotiations between the Board and the Association shall commence not later than April 1st of the final contract year.
Other
New Hire Credit Prior Experience — Full credit for up to 10 years; 50% credit thereafter; maximum 20 years total
Newly hired teachers receive full credit for up to 10 years of prior teaching experience; thereafter, years of prior experience beyond 10 shall be credited at 50%, with maximum of 20 years credit.
Other
Next Year Assignment Notice — Written notice of building, class/subject, and room assignments for forthcoming year not later than May 1
All teachers shall be given written notice of their building assignments, class and/or subject assignments, and room assignments for the forthcoming year not later than May 1.
Compensation
Off Schedule Bonus Yr1 — Longevity payment cap: if exceeds 6.0% increase, adjusted downward
If longevity payment results in total creditable earnings increase exceeding 6.0%, the longevity payment will be adjusted to comply with 6.0% annual creditable earnings increase limit.
Workday
Overload Schedule — Not to exceed one additional pupil contact period per day for overload
a teacher may be assigned an overload schedule which shall not exceed one (1) additional pupil contact period per day
Leave
Personal Days Annual — Three days of personal leave without loss of pay during each school year
Each teacher shall be granted three (3) days of personal leave without loss of pay during each school year. Unused personal leave will accrue as unused sick leave.
Other
Personnel File Copy Requirement — No material shall be placed in personnel file unless teacher receives concurrent copy
No material shall be placed in the personnel file of a teacher unless that teacher is concurrently given a copy of such material.
Other
Personnel File Examination Notice — Teacher must give office twenty-four hours written notice to examine own personnel file during regular school hours
Each teacher shall have the right to examine the contents of his/her own personnel file. The teacher shall give the office twenty-four hours written notice of intent to do so.
Other
Personnel File Response Deadline — Teacher may submit written response to file materials within ten (10) working days of receipt
Such response or objection must be submitted to the Superintendent or his/her designee within ten (10) working days from the date of receipt or inspection of the materials.
Workday
Planning Time Weekly — Minimum 960 minutes of planning time per week including team collaboration
A minimum of 960 minutes of planning time per week including team collaboration time
Other
Professional Development Plan Deadline — Within thirty (30) school days after needs improvement rating, evaluator and administrator develop Professional Development Plan
Within thirty (30) school days after a tenured teacher receives a summative evaluation of "Needs Improvement", the evaluator and the Administrator will develop, in consultation with the teacher, a Professional Development Plan.
Other
Professional Development Reimbursement — Pre-approved coursework credit toward salary advancement; conferences and workshops eligible for expense reimbursement
Attendance at one or more professional workshops, conferences or conventions per teacher shall be eligible for expense reimbursement. Prior to receipt of expense reimbursement, the teacher shall provide documentation.
Other
Remediation Plan Duration — Remediation plan in effect for ninety (90) school days of remediation in classroom
The remediation plan shall be in effect for ninety (90) school days of remediation in the classroom as required by School Code section 5/24A-5(i).
Other
Remediation Plan Formulation Deadline — Within thirty (30) school days of unsatisfactory rating, teacher meets with evaluator and consulting teacher to formulate remediation plan
Within thirty (30) school days of receiving an "unsatisfactory" in the summative rating, the teacher shall meet with the evaluating administrator and a consulting teacher to formulate a remediation plan.
Retirement
Retirement Notice Bonus — Annual 5.5% increase in TRS creditable earnings for retirement notification
shall receive annual increases in his/her TRS creditable earnings of 5.5% in the school year of retirement notification and in the teacher's final school years remaining before retirement
Retirement
Retirement System — Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
To receive benefits under the Avoca Retirement Benefits Plan, a teacher must have taught a minimum of fifteen (15) years in District 37 and be fully eligible for retirement benefits under TRS
Rif
Rif Recall Years — Limited recall rights for RIF Group 2 teachers under School Code Section 5/24-12(b)
A teacher in Group 2 will be entitled to limited recall rights pursuant to Section 5/24-12(b) of The School Code, provided the teacher meets the qualifications for limited recall rights under the statute based upon their previous performance ratings.
Compensation
Salary Lanes Count — Four salary lanes: BA, BA15, MA, MA30
Columns: BA, BA15, MA, MA30 in 2027-2028 Teacher Salary Schedule
Compensation
Salary Steps Count — Multiple salary schedules referenced (Appendices A, B, C, D, E)
The Salary Schedules as incorporated into this Agreement are set forth in Appendices A, B, C, D and E.
Other
Schedule Changes Committee — Committee to review proposed schedule changes at Avoca West and Marie Murphy Schools comprised of 6 teachers, 6 parents, Superintendent, administrator, and Board member
The committee will be comprised of: A. 6 teachers selected by the Avoca Education Association B. 6 parent representatives selected by the Parent Teacher Committee C. The Superintendent D. An administrator E. A member of the Board of Education
Leave
Sick Days Annual — Parental leave available for ten weeks on fully paid basis using accumulated sick days
Parental leave of absence is available to fathers and mothers who are parents (through birth, adoption, guardianship, fostering or surrogacy) of a new child on a fully paid basis using accumulated sick days for a ten (10) week period.
Leave
Sick Leave Max Days — Maximum of sixty donated sick leave days per incident, with 120 day annual maximum across all members
Each member shall be entitled to receive up to sixty (60) donated sick leave days per incident. During any school year, the maximum total amount of donated sick days used by members will not exceed one hundred twenty (120).
Compensation
Step Increase — Longevity payment: 5% increase for 2025-2026, then 2.75% annual for 2026-2030
Teachers on step 25 in MA or MA 30 lanes receive 5% longevity for 2025-2026. For 2026-2027 through 2029-2030, longevity is 2.75% annual increase off previous salary.
Workday
Teacher Workday Length — Length of teacher workday 480 minutes
Length of teacher workday: 480 minutes
Workday
Team Collaboration Periods — At least 4 team collaboration periods per week
At least 4 team collaboration periods per week