Workday
Afternoon Break — Members of the bargaining unit who work five (5) hours a day or more may have a ten-minute break with pay in the afternoon
Members of the bargaining unit who work five (5) hours a day or more may have a ten-minute break with pay in the morning and a ten-minute break with pay in the afternoon.
Other
Agreement Effective Date — July 1, 2021
The provisions of this Agreement will be effective as of July 1, 2021 and will continue and remain in full force and effect from year to year until such time as both parties agree to a change or modification.
Other
Agreement Term — July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026
This Agreement shall be effective the July 1, 2023 school term and shall continue in effect through the end of the day June 30, 2026.
Grievance
Arbitration Binding — Binding arbitration through AAA or FMCS; arbitrator's decision is final and binding; costs split equally between Board and Union
The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties. The arbitrator, in his/her opinion, shall not amend, modify, nullify, ignore or add to the provisions of the Agreement...The expenses for the arbitration services shall be borne equally by the Board and the Union.
Grievance
Arbitration Timeline — Arbitration request must be filed within 30 school days after receiving Superintendent's decision
Within thirty (30) school days after receiving the decision of the Superintendent or his/her designee, the Union may submit the grievance to binding arbitration of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
Other
Association Budget Allocation — Board allocates $500 for DESPA members to attend state conventions and/or local workshops
The Board of Education shall allocate $500 for DESPA members to attend state conventions and/or local workshops.
Other
Association Bulletin Board Posting — The Association shall have the right to post official notices of its activities and matters of Association concern on bulletin boards located in the teachers' lounge
The Association shall have the right to post official notices of its activities and matters of Association concern on bulletin boards located in the teachers' lounge. The Association Representative shall be responsible for posting and removing official notices of activities and matters of Association concerns.
Other
Association Facility Use — The Association shall have the right to use school building facilities at any time for official Association meetings of the employees of the building being used, providing such facilities are available, prior notice has been given to the building principal a minimum of two (2) days in advance
The Association shall have the right to use school building facilities at any time for official Association meetings of the employees of the building being used, providing such facilities are available, prior notice has been given to the building principal a minimum of two (2) days in advance of the meeting, there is no interruption of the educational program and the Association reimburses the District for any custodial and maintenance expenses incurred by the District as the result of the
Other
Association Mail Service — The Association shall have the exclusive right to use the District mail service and mail boxes for communications to employees
The Association shall have the exclusive right to use the District mail service and mail boxes for communications to employees. No postage shall be paid by the Board for the Association's communications.
Other
Association Meetings Scheduled — Association shall conduct District-wide meetings on second Wednesday of each month
The Association shall conduct its District-wide meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. The Board will encourage building administrators and employees to clear these days.
Other
Association President Release Time — Association President may be released from teaching assignment if requested 60 calendar days in advance
If requested by the Association sixty (60) calendar days in advance of the initial employee workday of the first semester, the President shall have the option of being released from part or all of teaching assignment.
Other
Association Travel Days Limit — Authorized Association Representatives granted time for workshops/conferences not to exceed one hundred five (105) days per school year
Authorized Association Representatives shall be granted time to attend state or national association workshops, conferences, business meetings, not to exceed one hundred five (105) days per school year.
Other
Association Travel Days Per Employee — No more than ten (10) days per school year shall be used by any one employee, excluding Association President
No more than ten (10) days shall be used by any one employee per school year, excluding the Association President.
Compensation
Ba Max Salary — $34.70 per hour at Step 43
Step 43 $ 34.70 (BA college Hourly rate for 2025-26)
Compensation
Ba Min Salary — $20.75 per hour at Step 1
Step 1 $ 20.75 (60 college Hourly rate for 2025-26)
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr1 — Year-round pay distribution option spreads annual salary over 26 pay periods; 22-pay-period schedule continues for non-electing employees
An optional year-round pay distribution plan will be offered to Teaching Assistants after their first academic year of employment. This option allows the annual salary to be spread over 26 pay periods.
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr2 — Year 2 FY 2023-24: Security 20.77, Lead 21.52
Year 2 20.77 21.52
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr3 — Year 3 FY 2023-24: Security 20.87, Lead 21.62
Year 3 20.87 21.62
Compensation
Base Salary New Employee Probation — New employee - first 90 worked days
New employee - first 90 worked days $18.00
Leave
Bereavement Days — The Board may allow usage of three (3) funeral leave days without pay if the employee has exhausted sick leave
The Board may allow usage of three (3) funeral leave days without pay if the employee has exhausted sick leave.
Other
Board Meeting Materials Access — Board Secretary provides Union with same information given to press on day of meeting; all additional materials made available to press also provided to Union same day as Board receives copies
Before any Board meeting, the Secretary of the Board shall provide the Union with the same information that she provides the press on the day of the meeting. Any additional materials made available to the press during the meeting shall also be made available to the Union. In addition, the Secretary shall provide the Union president with a copy of the Board agenda and supporting information, including any supplements and presentation documents made available to Board members, no later than
Other
Break Period Minutes — one fifteen-minute break in morning and one fifteen-minute break in afternoon
All employees shall be allowed one (1) fifteen-minute break in the morning and one (1) fifteen-minute break in the afternoon.
Other
Career Ladder Certificated Application — Certificated assistants with valid Illinois teaching certificates may apply for teaching vacancies for which qualified; shall be interviewed before outside applicants except in emergency; denied applicants may request meeting with HR for reasons
Bargaining unit employees who hold valid Illinois teaching certificates may apply for any teaching vacancy for which they are qualified. All certificated assistants shall be eligible to apply for teaching vacancies for which they are qualified and shall be interviewed before any applicant is appointed to the position, except in case of emergency or where the District is obligated to appoint District #61 teachers to the position. If denied the position, the applicant may request a meeting with the Director
Other
Cares Act Subcontracting — Board permitted to subcontract labor under CARES Act Grant without union staffing restrictions
The parties hereby agree that, in consideration for the Board's agreement to section 2 and 3 hereinabove the Union and each of its members shall permit and free the Board to subcontract and all labor otherwise covered by its CBA.
Other
Class Size Composition — class size and composition concerns addressed after 12th day of enrollment through formal meeting process
Following the 12th day of enrollment, any class that meets one or more of the above circumstances that significantly interfere with teaching/learning, the following procedure shall be implemented.
Other
Compensatory Time Off — Compensatory time off is 1.5 times overtime hours worked
Compensatory time off will be at the same rate that would be paid for overtime. The compensatory time off is one and one-half times the number of overtime hours worked.
Workday
Contract Days Teacher — The three work days, immediately before the first day of student attendance shall be required work days
The three work days, immediately before the first day of student attendance shall be required work days. As appropriate, all teaching assistants will complete all expected required trainings before students arrive.
Other
Contract Renewal Notice — Either party must notify other in writing at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to contract expiration of June 30 to change, alter, or modify agreement contents.
The contents of this Agreement shall continue from year to year unless either party notifies the other in writing at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the contract's expiration of June 30 of their desire to change, alter or modify the contents.
Other
Contract Term — Agreement effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025; continues year-to-year unless either party notifies of desire to change or modify
The contents of this Agreement shall be effective July 1, 2021 and shall continue through June 30, 2025 and from year to year unless either party notifies the other of the desire to change or modify the contents of this Agreement.
Leave
Court Leave — Full salary for jury duty; less than 4 hours = return to work
Any member of the bargaining unit summoned to jury duty or issued a court subpoena shall be paid his full salary for each working day of absence, provided that the member pays the District the jury fee or wit ness fee.
Leave
Court Leave Paid — Full salary for jury duty days
Any employee summoned for jury duty or issued a court subpoena shall be paid his/her full salary for each working day of absence, provided that the employee pays the District the jury fee or witness fee and further provided the employee returns to work.
Insurance
Dental Coverage — Volunteer Dental Plan available to all bargaining unit members
Volunteer Dental Plan: This Volunteer Dental Plan will enable each employee to participate in a group dental plan.
Leave
Disability Extended Illness Duration — Not to exceed one (1) calendar year
In no case shall disability or extended illness leave extend beyond one (1) calendar year. The member shall retain seniority upon returning to work. During the period of disability or extended illness, the District will continue to pay its portion of health insurance premiums.
Other
Discharge Cause Categories — Discharge without warning for: bodily harm, intoxication/drug possession, theft, property destruction, insubordination, outside employment interference, leaving job without consent, vehicle/equipment misuse, falsified application, falsified records
No warning notice need be given to an employee before he/she is discharged if the cause is: a. Willfully causing any bodily harm to any person upon the school premises. b. Possession of intoxicants or controlled substances not prescribed by an attending physician and/or being intoxicated or drugged on school premises. c. Stealing school property or property of others. d. Willful destruction of school property or damage to school property because of carelessness, neglect, or not following instruction pertaining to
Other
Discharge Grievance Eligible — Discharge of employee may be subject to grievance procedure
Discharge of an employee may be subject to the grievance procedure.
Other
Discharge Grounds Dishonesty — Discharge without warning notice permitted for: dishonesty or drunkenness or recklessness resulting in serious accident while on duty
Dishonesty or drunkenness, or recklessness resulting in a serious accident while on duty.
Other
Discharge Grounds Insubordination — Discharge without warning for insubordination, sleeping on job, refusal to perform work, abusive language toward foreman/supervisor/employees
Insubordination or sleeping on the job. Refusal or failure to perform work assigned. Use of abusive or threatening language, or action toward the foreman, supervisor, or other employees.
Other
Discharge Hearing Right — Employee has right to hearing prior to dismissal
The employee shall have the right to a hearing prior to dismissal.
Other
Discharge Probationary Exception — Probationary period is first 90 calendar days of employment; no warning required before discharge during this period
...no warning notice need be given prior to discharge if the staff member is a probationary employee (probationary period is the first ninety (90) calendar days of employment).
Other
Discharge Procedure — Superintendent sends employee home without pay pending board action; written notice of suspension without pay given to employee and Union president; notice includes reasons
When the Superintendent or his/her designee determines to discharge an employee, the employee shall be sent home without pay pending board action. Written notification of suspension without pay pending board action shall be given to the employee and the Union President. Written notice shall include reason(s) for suspension.
Other
Discharge Warning Requirement — Staff member failing to satisfactorily perform duties may be discharged; must receive at least 1 warning notice in writing within 12 months prior to discharge with copy to Union
Staff members who fail to satisfactorily perform their assigned duties may be discharged. In respect to discharge, the staff member shall be given at least one (1) warning notice in writing, within twelve (12) months prior to discharge, with a copy to the Union representative, of the complaint against such employee, except that no warning notice need be given prior to discharge if the staff member is a probationary employee (probationary period is the first ninety (90) calendar days of
Other
Disciplinary Action Notice — If employee feels unjustly dealt with regarding discharge or suspension, Local #73 must notify Superintendent of Schools in writing within seventy-two (72) hours, exclusive of Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.
If an employee feels he/she has been unjustly dealt with and a hearing is desired, Local #73 shall notify the Superintendent of Schools in writing seventy-two (72) hours, exclusive of Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.
Other
Disciplinary Union Representation — Employees subject to disciplinary action have right to Union representation
Employees subject to disciplinary action shall have the right to Union representation.
Other
Discipline — School Board shall not discharge or suspend employees without just cause and shall give at least one (1) warning notice of complaint in writing, except if cause of discharge is enumerated
The School Board, through its appointed representative, shall not discharge or suspend employee(s) without just cause and in respect to discharge shall give at least one (1) warning notice of the complaint against such employee to the employee in writing and a copy of the same to Local #73.
Other
Discipline Cause Required — No employee subject to discipline, suspension, or discharge without cause
No employee shall be subject to discipline, suspension or discharge without cause.
Other
Discipline Prior Notice — When administrator/employee believes meeting may lead to discipline, employee given prior written notice at least 2 working days before meeting stating reasons; meeting not delayed more than 2 working days; representative of choice may attend
When an employee or an administrator believes the result of a meeting may lead to disciplinary action, the employee shall be given prior written notice at least two (2) working days before the meeting stating the reasons for such meeting, and shall be entitled to have a representative of choice in attendance. The meeting shall not be delayed more than two (2) working days on account of such representations. Disciplinary response from the employer for misuse or exhaustion of leave
Other
Discipline Private Conduct — Discipline shall be conducted in private
Discipline shall be conducted in private.
Other
Discipline Procedures — Pre-disciplinary fact-finding meeting required with at least 3 workdays written notice
When the Board is contemplating administering discipline, a pre-disciplinary fact-finding meeting will be held. The Board will provide at least three (3) workdays' written notice to the employee and the Union of said meeting, except in cases of emergency.
Other
Discipline Written Notification — Union shall be advised in writing of all disciplinary actions
The Union shall be advised in writing of all disciplinary actions.
Other
Dues Deduction — Union dues deducted from pay upon signed authorization; employer remits monthly to Union; union must provide 15 calendar days notice of dues increase
Upon receipt of a signed authorization card from an employee employed in the bargaining unit the employer shall deduct the amount of Union dues set forth by the Union and any authorized increase therein, and shall remit such deductions monthly to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Union.
Other
Dues Deduction Authorization — Board will deduct union membership dues with current signed authorization card; will commence deductions within 30 days of notice from Union
The Board will deduct from the pay of each union member all current membership dues of the Union, provided that at the time of such deduction the Board has received a current signed authorization card for dues deduction, executed by the member. The Board will commence dues authorizations within 30 days of notice from the Union and in occurrence with the terms of an employee's written authorization.
Other
Electronic Authorization — Web-based and electronic sign-ups permitted for dues and COPE deductions, authorizations created and maintained by electronic records and signatures consistent with state and federal law.
The Union will provide to the Employer verification that dues deductions have been authorized by the employee. Employees may express such authorization through electronically recorded telephone calls, submitting to the Union an online deduction form authorization.
Workday
Emergency Recall Minimum Pay — Minimum of two (2) hours pay at overtime rate for emergency recall
When an employee is recalled for extra work, he/she shall be paid a minimum of two (2) hours pay at the overtime rate.
Other
Employee Information Access — Board provides employee list within 10 calendar days of school year start, then every 30 days thereafter, with names, job title, worksite, home address, work phone, ID number, and home/cell phones
Within ten (10) calendar days from the beginning of each school year and every thirty (30) days thereafter, the Board will provide the Union with a list of employee names, job title, worksite location, home address, work telephone number, ID number, and home and personal cell phones on file.
Insurance
Employee Premium Share Pct — Employees retiring pay entire annual premium if opting for post-retirement health insurance
Retirees who opt to participate in the employee group health insurance plan will pay the entire annual premium imposed by the insurance carrier.
Other
Employee Representation Association Business — authorized representatives granted time to attend state or national association meetings or conduct local association business
Authorized association representatives shall be granted time to attend state or national association meetings or attend to other business of the local association, provided that the amount of time so taken does not exceed twenty (20) days per year.
Evaluation
Evaluation Cycle Years — biannually (twice per school year)
Each member of the bargaining unit shall be evaluated biannually by the building principal or administrator. Newly hired employees are to be evaluated during the first year of employment.
Leave
Extended Illness Leave — Extended illness leave not to exceed one calendar year
Any staff member whose disability or personal illness extends beyond the period compensated under Article VIII, and has been absent for longer than three (3) consecutive days will be granted a leave of absence without pay or increment until such time as a physician certifies the staff member is capable of returning to work.
Other
Extracurricular Student Clubs Criteria — K-8 buildings allotted up to 6 elementary and 3 middle school extra-curricular student clubs. All clubs must be approved by building administrator and association representative. Clubs must have minimum 10 students, meetings outside school day, minimum 10 meetings per school year, minimum 20 hours per school year, with stated purpose and description.
K-8 buildings will be allotted up to six (6) elementary extracurricular student club positions per building. K-8 buildings will also be allotted up to three (3) middle school extra-curricular student clubs. All Extra-Curricular Student Clubs listed in Elementary, Middle School, and High School must be approved by the building administrator and association representative and meet the following criteria: 1. Minimum of 10 students involved 2. Meetings occur outside the school day 3. Minimum of 10 meetings per school year 4.
Workday
First Shift Start Time — First shift work day is first eight hours worked regardless of time of starting if 5:00 a.m. or after
For the day shift the work day shall be considered the first eight hours worked, regardless of time of starting if 5:00 a.m., or after.