Other
Academic Freedom Guarantee — Academic freedom guaranteed to educators
Academic freedom shall be guaranteed to educators, and no arbitrary limitations shall be placed upon study, investigation, presentation, and interpretation of facts and ideas when presented in accordance with accepted standards of professional responsibility.
Insurance
Accidental Death Dismemberment — $40,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy for 2019-2020; $50,000 for 2020-2021
$40,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy for the 2019-2020 school term; a $50,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance policy commencing with the 2020-2021 school term
Other
Addenda Evaluation — Annual performance evaluation by principal and/or designee
Each educator performing an addenda assignment will have that performance evaluated annually by the principal and/or designee. The evaluation will be conducted through established rubric and rating process.
Other
Addenda Pay Codes — Pay codes A-E with lump sum payment schedule: A, B, C, D at 100%; E at 50%
Pay for addenda will be paid in lump sums as per the following schedule: Code A 100% November, B 100% January, C 100% March, D 100% June, E 50% January 50% June
Other
Addendum Position Posting — Addendum positions shall be filled first by qualified, experienced regularly appointed educators; all vacant positions must be posted electronically via email to the JFA
Addendum positions shall be filled first by qualified, experienced regularly appointed educators in the school district. All vacant positions need to be posted electronically via email to the JFA annually.
Other
Additional Supervision Volunteer — Educators may volunteer for additional supervision up to 30 extra minutes per day at internal substitution rate
Educators may volunteer to do additional supervision within the school day for no more than 30 extra minutes per day. Volunteers for such assignments beyond the 30 minute assignment required by this section shall be paid at the prevailing rate for internal substitutions specified in section 26.4.A.
Workday
Administrative Section Limits — Certificated administrative personnel may be assigned up to 2 sections per day, maximum 20 sections per semester
Certificated administrative personnel or department supervisors may be assigned up to a maximum of two (2) sections in any given day, with the total being no more than twenty (20) sections per semester for all certificated administrative personnel or department supervisors.
Leave
Advanced Study Leave — Leave of absence without pay for advanced study for one year
A leave of absence without pay for the purpose of advanced study for one year may be granted to a tenured educator or tenured educator provided the educator states in writing his intention to return to the school district.
Other
Agreement Waiver — any provision may be waived by mutual written agreement; waiver terminates at end of school year unless otherwise agreed
Any provision of this Agreement may be waived or modified, in writing, by mutual agreement of the administration, educator(s) and Association. If the waiver is approved, all parties shall sign the waiver; waiver automatically terminates at conclusion of school year.
Other
Agreement Waiver Mutual — Any provision may be waived or modified in writing by mutual agreement of administration, educator(s) and Association; waiver automatically terminates at conclusion of school year unless otherwise agreed
Any provision of this Agreement may be waived or modified, in writing, by mutual agreement of the administration, educator(s) and Association. If the waiver is approved, all parties shall sign the waiver; Superintendent, Association President, and educator(s).
Grievance
Arbitration Binding — Arbitration decision is final and binding
The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties.
Other
Assault Battery Support — Board provides legal counsel for assault or battery incidents
Any case of assault, battery or verbal and written threats against an educator shall promptly be reported to the Board or its designated representative. The Board will provide legal counsel to advise the educator of the educator's rights and obligations.
Other
Assault Upon Educator — Board provides legal counsel and assistance for assault incidents
Any case of assault upon an educator shall be promptly reported to the Board or its designated representative. The Board will provide legal counsel to advise the educator of his rights and obligations with respect to such assault and shall promptly render all reasonable assistance.
Other
Assignment Change Consultation — No changes in assignments later than June 30 unless emergency situation requires same, with consultation
No changes shall be made in the educator's assignments later than June 30 unless an emergency situation requires same. No changes shall be made during the school year without consultation with the educator or educators involved.
Other
Assignment Changes Until June 30 — Assignments may be changed until June 30 due to student failures
Until June 30, an educator's tentative assignments may be changed as a result of student failures. In the event changes in such assignments are proposed, the educator affected shall be promptly notified.
Other
Assignment Notice Outside Teaching Certificate — Educator not required to teach outside limits of teaching certificate and major/minor field
An educator shall not be required to teach outside the limits of the educator's teaching certificate and major or minor field of study.
Other
Assignment Notice Tentative June 1 — Notice of tentative assignments no later than June 1
An educator shall be given written notice of the educator's tentative assignments for the forthcoming year no later than June 1 preceding the first day of the new school term.
Other
Association Conference Leaves — Up to three representatives per school excused for local, state, or national conferences
In the event that the Association desires to send representatives to local, state, or national conferences or on other business pertinent to Association affairs, these representatives shall be excused using available Association days or without salary, not to exceed three representatives per school.
Other
Association Leave — Eight paid leave days per year for Association, with additional 2 days per delegate to IEA Representative Assembly (max 5 delegates)
The Association shall be granted eight (8) paid leave days per year, use of which shall be validated in writing by the Association President to the Superintendent. In any year that the Association has more than four (4) members serving as delegates to the IEA Representative Assembly, the number of Association Leave days will be increased to allow two (2) paid leave days per delegate with a maximum of five (5) delegates.
Other
Association Membership Non Discrimination — Association agrees to admit and represent all educators regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, age, political affiliation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental handicap, military status, sexual orientation, or unfavorable discharge from military service
The Association agrees to admit to membership, and to represent all educators regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, age, political affiliation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental handicap, military status, sexual orientation, or unfavorable discharge from military service, membership or non-membership in any educator organization.
Other
Association President Release Time — Association president granted one released period per day for Association business
The President of the Joint Faculty Association is granted one released period per day to conduct Joint Faculty Association business. Each member of the bargaining unit may be assigned one period of substitution per school year without monetary or sick leave compensation.
Other
Association Representation Discipline — educator notified in writing of right to Association representation; minimum 24 hours notice before meeting
When any educator is called to a meeting for investigating a matter which may lead to discipline or dismissal, resulting in a written document, he/she shall be notified in writing of his/her right to have a representative of the Association present. Except in unusual circumstances, sufficient time, a period defined by at least 24 hours, must be allowed.
Other
Association Representation New Hire Orientation — JFA President allotted no less than 30 minutes unpaid time with newly hired educators
After the completion of orientation of newly hired educators in the district, the JFA President (or his/her designees) shall without pay be allotted no less than 30 minutes of mandatory unpaid time with those newly hired educators.
Other
Association Representation Right — Educator has right to Association representation at investigative meetings with 24 hours notice minimum
When any educator is called to a meeting for the purpose of investigating a matter which may lead to the discipline of the educator or for the purpose of being officially reprimanded, warned, disciplined, or dismissed, resulting in a written document, the educator shall be notified in writing of the educator's right to have a representative of the Association present and the general nature of the meeting. Sufficient time, a period defined by at least 24 hours, must be allowed
Other
Association School Building Use — Association may use school buildings for meetings with building principal approval at reasonable times
The Association and its representatives shall have the right to use school buildings for meetings upon approval of the building principal at reasonable times, provided that such meetings do not interfere with or interrupt normal school operations.
Compensation
Ba Max Salary — $49,009 for ELL Assistant & Paraprofessional Step 8 in 2024-2025
ELL Assistant & Paraprofessional 2024-2025 Step 8: $49,009
Compensation
Ba Min Salary — $46,486 for new hire Building Bookkeeper/Grounds/Maintenance Year 1
Building Bookkeeper/Grounds/Maintenance New Hire July 2024 - June 2028 Year 1: $46,486
Other
Bargaining Unit Definition — BEST represents full-time support staff including custodians, maintenance, certified maintenance, groundskeepers, secretaries, IMC aides, paraprofessionals, ELL and bilingual program assistants, data inventory specialist, building bookkeepers, and grant data manager.
The Board...recognizes the Bremen Educational Support Team, IEA-NEA...as the exclusive negotiating agent for all full-time support personnel including custodians, maintenance, certified maintenance, groundskeepers, secretaries, IMC aides, paraprofessionals, ELL and bilingual program assistants, data inventory specialist, building bookkeepers, and the grant data manager.
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr1 — Payroll deductions: income taxes, NEA/IEA/BEST dues, annuities, credit union, IMRF contribution
From each employee's gross pay there shall be deducted: Income taxes as authorized by each employee on the 'W-4' form; NEA, IEA, and BEST dues, if authorized by the employee; Employee's voluntary contributions to tax-sheltered annuities, if authorized by the employee; Credit union deductions authorized by the employee; and The employee's contribution to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr2 — 2024-25 base salary $53,305
The 2024-25 faculty base salary will be $53,305.
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr3 — 2025-26 base salary $54,575
The 2025-26 faculty base salary will be $54,575.
Leave
Bereavement Days — Family and Medical Leave Act entitlements apply
BEST employees are entitled to leave according to the terms of the Family and Medical Leave Act subject to the following provisions
Other
Board Agenda Notice — Board places Association matters on agenda with 24 hours notice for written request or 6 calendar days for printed agenda
The Board shall place on the agenda of any regular Board meeting for consideration under 'New Business' any matters brought to its attention for its consideration by the Association so long as these matters are made known in writing to the Superintendent twenty-four (24) hours prior to the regular meeting.
Other
Board Minutes Delivery — Two copies of all Board minutes mailed/placed in mailbox of Association President
Two (2) copies of all Board minutes shall be mailed or placed in the mailbox of the President of the Association as soon as they have been prepared. Upon request, copies of specific attachments shall be made available to the Association President.
Other
Board Minutes Distribution — The District will send copies of approved Board minutes to the BEST president and forward copies of notices of regularly scheduled and special Board meetings to the BEST president.
The District will send copies of approved Board minutes to the BEST president. The District shall forward the BEST president a copy of all notices of regularly scheduled and special Board meetings as soon as they are distributed to the Board members.
Other
Board Notification Qualifications — Changes in certification status and seniority automatically forwarded to Association President or designee in month of change
Any change in certification status and seniority will be automatically forwarded to the President of the Association or designee in the month of the change.
Other
Building Council Composition — Building councils composed of three educators who are Association representatives, Principal or designee, and one additional administrator
The building councils shall be composed of three (3) educators who are Association representatives, the Principal or his/her designee, and one the additional administrator appointed by the Principal.
Other
Building Council Meeting Frequency — Building councils shall meet on the second Thursday of each month, or more often if needed
The building councils shall meet on the second Thursday of each month, or more often if needed.
Other
Bulletin Board Communications — Exclusive bulletin board in each building for bargaining unit notices
A bulletin board shall be provided for the exclusive use of the members of the bargaining unit in each building for posting notices of activities and other matters of concern to the bargaining unit.
Other
Calendar Consultation — Prior to approval of the calendar for the ensuing year, the Board or designee will consult with and consider recommendations of BEST regarding the calendar.
Prior to the approval of the calendar for the ensuing year, the Board or designee will consult with and will consider the recommendations of BEST regarding said calendar.
Other
Censorship Review Committee — Committee of three faculty and three administration members reviews objections to books/materials
Such objections or complaints will be first reviewed by a committee composed of three members of the faculty to be chosen by the educators and three members of the administration to be chosen by the Board.
Leave
Child Care Leave — Tenured educator on unpaid child care leave may return at beginning of mid-term of semester; leave granted up to 3 semesters, not to exceed one full school term (August through June)
A tenured educator on unpaid child care leave shall have the option of returning to full-time employment at the beginning of any mid-term of the semester. Unpaid leave shall be granted to a tenured educator to a maximum of three (3) semesters.
Other
Class Size Lab Capacity — Board makes reasonable effort to ensure number of students in lab classes does not exceed lab capacity; lab classes include Science, Family and Consumer Science, Industrial Tech, Computer Lab Business courses and Art
The Board agrees to make a reasonable effort to ensure that the number of students assigned to lab classes does not exceed the lab capacity. For this section, lab classes include those in Science, Family and Consumer Science, Industrial Tech, Computer Lab Business courses and Art.
Other
Class Size Limits — Board makes reasonable effort to keep class sizes within established section divisors and enrollment windows from 2009-10 sectioning
The Board agrees to make a reasonable effort to keep class sizes within these limits. The district established section divisors and enrollment windows for each course for 2009-10 sectioning.
Other
Class Size Self Contained Special Ed — Self-contained special education classes shall not exceed state mandated limits
Self-contained special education classes shall not exceed state mandated limits.
Evaluation
Classroom Observation Minutes — Paraprofessionals classroom observations at least 30 consecutive minutes
Each formal written evaluation for educational support paraprofessional shall be preceded by at least one (1) classroom observation of at least thirty (30) consecutive minutes.
Workday
Coaching Clinics Budget — Budget for coaches attendance at clinics at $350 per head coach and $200 per assistant
Budgets will provide for coaches attendance at coaching clinics at $350 per head coach and $200 per assistant.
Other
Committee Representation — BEST will have at least one representative on the District Inservice, Insurance, Technology, and Labor Management Committees, and on any current or future committees with relevance to support staff work.
BEST will have at least one representative on the District Inservice, Insurance, Technology, and Labor Management Committees, as well as on any current or future established committees which the District and BEST agree has relevance to the work of the support staff.
Workday
Conferences And Clinics Budget — Budget of $500 per department plus $125 per department member for conferences and workshops
Budgets will provide for educator attendance at conferences, workshops, in-service training and institutes at $500 per department, plus $125 per department member.
Workday
Consecutive Class Periods Max — Maximum 5 consecutive periods of duty unless waived
No classroom educator shall be assigned five (5) consecutive periods of duty unless waived by the individual educator.
Other
Consulting Teacher Selection — Consulting teacher selected from list of five qualified educators per building submitted by Association
A 'consulting' teacher will be selected by the observer to help the educator throughout the remediation plan. The observer shall select a qualified consulting teacher from a list of five (5) qualified educators per building submitted by the Association.
Workday
Contract Days Teacher — Maintenance/custodial emergency overtime: 2 hours guaranteed pay minimum
In case of emergency or breakdown, maintenance employees (certified maintenance, groundskeeper / maintenance, or custodians) shall be given two (2) hours guaranteed pay for overtime only when the overtime requires them to return to the worksite or building.
Other
Contract Duration End — Agreement continues until June 30, 2028
The provisions of this Agreement shall be effective beginning July 1, 2024 and shall continue in full force and effect until June 30, 2028.
Other
Contract Duration Start — Agreement effective beginning July 1, 2024
The provisions of this Agreement shall be effective beginning July 1, 2024 and shall continue in full force and effect until June 30, 2028.
Other
Corporal Punishment Policy — Board's policy on corporal punishment in accordance with School Code; written statement distributed to educators no later than first week of school term
The Board's policy governing the use of corporal punishment shall be in accordance with the School Code. A written statement by the Board governing use of corporal punishment of pupils shall be distributed to all educators no later than the first week of each school term.
Other
Counselor Imc Release Discretion — Principals may release counselors and IMC personnel from 30-minute supervision at discretion
Principals may release counselors and IMC personnel from the 30-minute supervision at their discretion.
Insurance
Dental Coverage — Dental plan maximum benefit of $2,000 per calendar year per family member
The dental plan shall pay a maximum benefit for each calendar year of two thousand ($2,000.00) dollars which amount applied separately to each insured family member.
Other
Discharge Demotion Procedure — discharge or demotion preceded by evaluation procedure, educator conference, and written explanation
Discharge or demotion, (other than addendum assignments) of any educator shall be preceded by: execution of evaluation procedure and honoring of educators' rights; conference with educator; and written explanation.
Evaluation
Discharge Demotion Requirements — Discharge or demotion preceded by: execution of evaluation procedure and honoring educators' rights; conference with administrator prior to action; written explanation for action
Discharge or demotion (other than addendum assignments) of any educator shall be preceded by: A. The execution of the evaluation procedure and the honoring of all educators' rights; B. A conference with the educator by the appropriate administrator prior to taking any action; C. A written explanation for the action.
Other
Discipline Continuing Just Cause — Continuing employees may be suspended without pay, terminated, or disciplined only for just cause
A continuing employee may be suspended without pay, or terminated or otherwise disciplined only for just cause.