Other
Academic Freedom — Certified employees are free to present instructional materials pertinent to subject and grade level within course content outline and planned instructional program
Academic freedom shall be guaranteed to all certified employees. Certified employees are free to present instructional materials which are pertinent to the subject and grade level taught, within the outline of appropriate course content and with the planned instructional program as determined by normal administrative procedures.
Grievance
Arbitration Binding — Yes, arbitrator decision is final and binding
The arbitrator shall be designated to hear the grievance, and his decision shall be final and binding.
Compensation
Ba Max Salary — $79,721
2025-2026 TEACHER SALARY SCHEDULE WITH TRS - Step 35, MS+40 column
Compensation
Ba Min Salary — Salary schedules in Appendix B
Certified employees shall be paid according to the salary schedules set forth in Appendix B, based on a 180 day work year unless changed by state law or Board action.
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr1 — YRS 1-15 salary schedule 2025-2026
Year 1 2025-2026: YRS 1 $15.38, YRS 2 $15.50, YRS 3 $15.62, YRS 4 $15.74, YRS 5 $15.86, YRS 6 $15.98, YRS 7 $16.10, YRS 8 $16.22, YRS 9 $16.34, YRS 10 $16.46, YRS 11 $16.58, YRS 12 $16.70, YRS 13 $16.82, YRS 14 $16.94, YRS 15 $17.06
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr2 — YRS 1-15 salary schedule 2026-2027
Year 2 2026-2027: YRS 1 $15.78, YRS 2 $15.90, YRS 3 $16.02, YRS 4 $16.14, YRS 5 $16.26, YRS 6 $16.38, YRS 7 $16.50, YRS 8 $16.62, YRS 9 $16.74, YRS 10 $16.86, YRS 11 $16.98, YRS 12 $17.10, YRS 13 $17.22, YRS 14 $17.34, YRS 15 $17.46
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr3 — YRS 1-15 salary schedule 2027-2028
Year 3 2027-2028: YRS 1 $16.20, YRS 2 $16.32, YRS 3 $16.44, YRS 4 $16.56, YRS 5 $16.68, YRS 6 $16.80, YRS 7 $16.92, YRS 8 $17.04, YRS 9 $17.16, YRS 10 $17.28, YRS 11 $17.40, YRS 12 $17.52, YRS 13 $17.64, YRS 14 $17.76, YRS 15 $17.88
Compensation
Benefits Minimum Hours — Employees working a minimum of 30 hours per week shall be entitled to benefits
Employees working a minimum of 30 hours per week shall be entitled to benefits.
Leave
Bereavement Days — Two bereavement days with pay per year
Employees will be credited with two (2) bereavement days with pay per year. These days will not accumulate.
Workday
Breaks Fulltime — All full time employees shall be allowed a fifteen (15) minute paid break before lunch and a fifteen minute paid break after lunch
All full time employees covered by this agreement shall be allowed a fifteen (15) minute paid break before lunch and a fifteen minute paid break after lunch.
Workday
Breaks Parttime — All part-time employees that work at least four (4) hours shall be allowed a twenty (20) minute paid break
All part-time employees covered by this agreement that work at least four (4) hours shall be allowed a twenty (20) minute paid break.
Workday
Contract Days Teacher — The calendar shall consist of no more than one hundred eighty (180) work days for teachers and other nine-month employees, which may include four (4) institute days
The calendar shall consist of no more than one hundred eighty (180) work days for teachers and other nine-month employees, which may include four (4) institute days.
Other
Dues Deduction — Association dues deducted from paychecks with 10 days advance notice; authorization continues unless revoked by September 1st
Dues shall be deducted in equal payments from each authorized employee's paycheck. Authorization continues unless revoked by September 1st.
Other
Employee Discipline — Rules and regulations governing employee conduct shall be reasonable and enforcement shall be fair and exercised for just cause
Rules and regulations governing employee conduct shall be reasonable and the enforcement of employee discipline shall be fair and exercised for a just cause.
Evaluation
Evaluation Cycle Years — Formal and informal observation processes for certified employees; evaluation procedures for non-certified employees
Formal Observation Process for Certified Employees; Informal Observation for Certified Employees; Non-Certified Employee Evaluation Procedures
Grievance
Grievance Steps — Five-step grievance procedure: Principal, Superintendent, Board, Interest Based Problem Solving, Arbitration
Step 1: Building Principal within 10 working days. Step 2: Superintendent within 10 working days. Step 3: Board within 10 working days. Step 4: Interest Based Problem Solving. Step 5: Arbitration.
Insurance
Health Single Premium — Board offers major medical and dental insurance to all district employees working minimum 30 hours per week
The Board of Education will offer major medical and dental insurance to all district employees who work a minimum of 30 hours per week. The plan shall offer options of coverage for Employee Only, Employee and Spouse, Employee and Children, and Family; if available.
Workday
Institute Days Preparation — Licensed staff shall be afforded at least one and one-half (1.5) continuous hours per day on the first two (2) institute days for purposes of working in their classrooms to prepare for the upcoming school year
Licensed staff shall be afforded at least one and one-half (1.5) continuous hours per day on the first two (2) institute days for purposes of working in their classrooms to prepare for the upcoming school year.
Compensation
Lane Advancement Allowed — Lane advancement allowed through approved courses
The course must be directly related to the employee's assigned field, student achievement, school improvement plan, or an additional endorsement or certification. Approval must be obtained from the Superintendent prior to enrollment.
Workday
Lunch Period — All employees who work seven and one quarter (7.25) continuous hours or more shall be provided an unpaid meal period of thirty (30) minutes
All employees who work seven and one quarter (7.25) continuous hours or more shall be provided an unpaid meal period of thirty (30) minutes.
Compensation
Ma Max Salary — $85,187
2025-2026 TEACHER SALARY SCHEDULE WITH TRS - Step 35, MS+40 column
Compensation
Ma Min Salary — $48,101
2025-2026 TEACHER SALARY SCHEDULE WITH TRS - Step 1, MS column
Other
Nondiscrimination — Agreement shall not unlawfully discriminate on basis of race, creed, marital status, age, sex, national origin, or disability
Provisions of the Agreement shall be applied in such a manner as not to unlawfully discriminate against any employee on the basis of race, creed, marital status, age, sex, or national origin, or disability.
Leave
Nontenure Seniority — A non-tenure certified employee shall not acquire seniority in the District until he/she achieves tenure
A non-tenure certified employee shall not acquire seniority in the District until he/she achieves tenure.
Other
Notification Assignment Change — Certified employees notified of assignment changes by end of current term; no changes within 30 days of school year except emergency; non-certified notified 30 days before first day of school
Prior to the end of the current school term the district shall give written notification to all certified employees whose tentative assignment for the forthcoming year may change. Except in case of an emergency, no changes shall be made less than thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the school year.
Compensation
Occupational Therapist Salary Reference — Occupational therapists hired with no experience paid at MS+24/1 cell on teacher salary schedule
Occupational Therapists hired with no experience shall be paid at the MS+24/1 cell on the teacher salary schedule.
Compensation
Off Schedule Bonus Yr1 — One-time stipend for AP training
Teachers who attend required training to teach AP classes at the request of the District shall be paid a one-time stipend of $400.
Workday
Overtime Approval — All additional time to scheduled work assignment and overtime (over 40 hours per week) must be pre-approved by building Principal or Superintendent
All additional time to scheduled work assignment and overtime (over 40 hours per week) must be pre-approved by the building Principal or the Superintendent.
Workday
Overtime Rate — All overtime work will be paid at one and one-half (1½) times the employee's regular pay rate as calculated for time worked beyond forty (40) hours per week
All overtime work will be paid at one and one-half (1½) times the employee's regular pay rate as calculated for time worked beyond forty (40) hours per week.
Leave
Part Time Teaching Tenure Loss — A tenured certified employee who voluntarily requests placement on a part-time teaching status shall relinquish tenure and seniority rights
A tenured certified employee who voluntarily requests placement on a part-time teaching status shall relinquish tenure and seniority rights.
Leave
Parttime To Parttime Seniority — A tenured certified employee who is involuntarily reduced to part-time certified employee status shall retain tenure and accumulate seniority in proportion to the fraction of the school day or year the certified employee is required to be on duty
A tenured certified employee who is involuntarily reduced to part-time certified employee status shall retain tenure and accumulate seniority in proportion to the fraction of the school day or year the certified employee is required to be on duty
Leave
Personal Days Annual — Vacation days awarded based on years of service
Vacation time is awarded to twelve (12) month non-certified employees each July 1 for time worked from the previous July 1. 1-9 years of service: 10 vacation days per year; 10 years: 11 days; 11 years: 12 days; 12 years: 13 days; 13 years: 14 days; 14 years: 15 days per year.
Other
Posting Vacancy — Job vacancies posted for minimum of 10 calendar days prior to filling except in emergency situations or with DCMEA President consent
All job vacancies (including supplemental listed in Appendix A) shall be posted for a minimum of ten (10) calendar days prior to filling except in emergency situations or with the consent of the DCMEA President.
Leave
Professional Leave Days — Certified employees shall be allowed one professional leave day
Certified employees shall be allowed one professional leave day. The number of professional leave days may be increased if the employee is requested/required by the administration to attend.
Other
Psychologist Social Worker Multiplier — Multiplier of 1.1 to 1.2 applied to base salary
School Psychologists, Social Workers, School Counselors, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Language Pathologists will have a multiplier applied to their base salary of 1.1 to 1.2 at the discretion of the Superintendent.
Rif
Recall Response Deadline — An employee's failure to respond affirmatively within ten (10) calendar days after receipt of the District's letter to recall, shall result in termination of the employee's right to recall hereunder
An employee's failure to respond affirmatively within ten (10) calendar days after receipt of the District's letter to recall, shall result in termination of the employee's right to recall hereunder.
Other
Representation At Meetings — Employee entitled to Association representative at formal performance discussions or disciplinary action; 5 calendar days notice if required to appear before Board
An employee shall be entitled, upon request, to have an Association representative present at any meeting when a formal discussion of performance or potential/pending disciplinary action is concerned. When required to appear before the Board, employee shall be advised in writing of the reason(s) at least five (5) calendar days before the scheduled appearance.
Retirement
Retirement Pickup Pct — Board contributes 4.5% to IMRF
The Board of Education agrees to contribute four and one-half percent of each employee's wages to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) on behalf of each employee as a tax-sheltered direct contribution.
Retirement
Retirement System — Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)
The Board of Education agrees to contribute four and one-half percent of each employee's wages to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) on behalf of each employee as a tax-sheltered direct contribution.
Workday
Return To Work Minimum — Any employee called to return to work outside regularly scheduled shift shall be paid minimum of two (2) hours at appropriate rate
Any employee covered by this agreement that is called by the Principal or Superintendent to return to work outside his/her regularly scheduled shift shall be paid a minimum of two (2) hours at the appropriate rate.
Rif
Rif Inaccuracy Notification — Certified employees shall notify the district within 10 days of notification of placement of any inaccuracies
Certified employees shall notify the district within 10 days of notification of placement of any inaccuracies.
Rif
Rif Notice Deadline — RIF lists shall be given to the exclusive bargaining representative at least 75 days before the end of each school year
RIF lists shall be given to the exclusive bargaining representative at least 75 days before the end of each school year.
Rif
Rif Order Noncertified — Layoffs or reduction in hours shall be in reverse seniority with least senior first in each job classification. There shall be no bumping into other job classifications
Layoffs or reduction in hours shall be in reverse seniority with least senior first in each job classification. There shall be no bumping into other job classifications, where no seniority has been accrued.
Rif
Rif Recall Years — Within one (1) calendar year after any reduction in force, the Board shall first offer re-employment to the most senior
If within one (1) calendar year after any reduction in force, the Board increases the number of employees, reinstated positions, or vacancies occur, the Board shall first offer re-employment to the most senior
Rif
Rif Recall Years Certified — Certified employees in Grouping Three and Grouping Four shall have the right to be recalled to any position for which the certified employee is qualified if the vacancy occurs within one calendar year from the beginning of the following school term
Certified employees in Grouping Three and Grouping Four shall have the right to be recalled to any position for which the certified employee is qualified if the vacancy occurs within one calendar year from the beginning of the following school term.
Leave
Rif Seniority Definition — Seniority for non-certified employees shall be defined as the length of continuous service within the District commencing with the first day of employment
Seniority for non-certified employees shall be defined as the length of continuous service within the District commencing with the first day of employment with the district within the job classification
Compensation
Salary Lanes Count — BS, BS+8, BS+16, BS+24, BS+32, MS, MS+8, MS+16, MS+24, MS+32, MS+40
Salary schedule includes columns: BS, BS+8, BS+16, BS+24, BS+32, MS, MS+8, MS+16, MS+24, MS+32, MS+40
Compensation
Salary Steps Count — 15 years of service steps
YRS 1 through YRS 15 salary schedule with differentiated pay for each step from entry level through 15 years of service.
Leave
Seniority Accumulation Multijob — A non-certified employee may accumulate seniority in more than one category within the District starting with the 2003-04 school term
A non-certified employee may accumulate seniority in more than one category within the District starting with the 2003-04 school term. (i.e. An employee works as a paraprofessional for 3 years and then becomes a custodian for 3 years.
Rif
Seniority Definition Certified — Seniority for certified employees shall be defined as the length of continuous full-time service within the District
Seniority for certified employees shall be defined as the length of continuous full-time service within the District.
Workday
Shift Change Notice — Ten (10) work day notice will be given before any change in shift or assignment
Every effort will be made by the administration to notify employees immediately of any shift/assignment change. Except in emergency situations, a ten (10) work day notice will be given before any change in shift or assignment.
Leave
Sick Days Annual — Implied by TRS creditable service and resignation contemplation of sick leave usage
In the event that a teacher's resignation date under this policy contemplated use of sick leave benefits for creditable service purposes and the teacher subsequently uses all or a portion of available sick leave days.
Leave
Sick Days Annual 20yr — At twenty (20) years of experience, certified employees will be credited with eighteen (18) sick days at the beginning of each school year
At twenty (20) years of experience, certified employees will be credited with eighteen (18) sick days at the beginning of each school year.
Leave
Sick Days Annual 30yr — At thirty (30) years of experience, certified employees will be credited with twenty-four (24) sick days at the beginning of each school year
At thirty (30) years of experience, certified employees will be credited with twenty-four (24) sick days at the beginning of each school year.
Leave
Sick Leave Max Days — Unused sick days will accumulate from year to year but shall not exceed 360 days
Unused sick days will accumulate from year to year but shall not exceed 360 days.
Compensation
Step Increase — Teacher's yearly increase reduced by amount of pay for extra-duty assignment if removed for cause or voluntarily discontinue
Teachers who are removed for cause or who voluntarily discontinue an extra-duty assignment during any of the elected plan years of employment shall have their yearly increase for that year reduced by the amount of pay for the extra duty assignment.
Other
Teacher Preparation Program Commitment — Four full school years required employment commitment after final reimbursement
Employees who receive reimbursement through the Teacher Preparation Program commit to work full-time in the district four full school years following the last reimbursement.
Other
Teacher Preparation Program Reimbursement — Up to 9 credit hours per year for tuition reimbursement at ISU undergraduate rate
Employees selected for participation in the program shall be entitled to reimbursement of tuition in an amount up to the undergraduate rate charged by Illinois State University (ISU) for up to nine (9) credit hours per year.
Rif
Tenure Seniority Accrual — A tenured certified employee shall acquire one year of seniority for each year of full-time employment in the district
A tenured certified employee shall acquire one year of seniority for each year of full-time employment in the district.
Workday
Workday Hours Noncertified — Full-time non-certified employee's work day shall be at least 7.25 hours per day
The length of full-time non-certified employee's work day shall be at least 7.25 hours per day.