Other
Agreement Duration — Effective first day of 2025-2026 school year through first day of 2028-2029 school year
This Agreement shall become effective the first day of Teacher contract day of the 2025-2026 school year and continue until the first day of 2028-2029 school year
Grievance
Arbitration Binding — Binding arbitration available as Step 4 of grievance procedure
Step 4—Arbitration provides binding resolution of grievances that progress through the appeal process
Leave
Association Leave Annual — Up to 6 days per school term for Association representatives at local, state, or national conferences without loss of salary if Association reimburses cost of substitute
In the event the Association desires to send representatives to local, state, or national conferences, these representatives shall be excused without loss of salary...provided the Association reimburses the district for the cost of the substitute(s) for any aggregate number of days exceeding six (6).
Compensation
Ba Max Salary — Base Salary Step 4 for 2026-2027
BASE SALARY STEP 4 $49,185
Compensation
Ba Min Salary — BA Step 1 minimum salary 2025-2026
Base salary (B.S./Step 1) for 2025-2026 school year is $40,733
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr1 — Event worker pay for basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, cross country, track & field
BASKETBALL: $45.00-$85.00 per game; FOOTBALL: $45.00-$65.00; SOCCER: $40.00-$65.00; VOLLEYBALL: $40.00-$80.00; WRESTLING: $40.00-$65.00
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr2 — Department Head Base compensation: $325 (most departments); Guidance: $650
CAREER & TECH ED $325; DRIVER'S EDUCATION $325; GUIDANCE $650; MATH $325; SCIENCE $325
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr3 — 4% increase to base
4% Base, 5% Down, 5% Across for 2027-2028 salary schedule
Leave
Bereavement Days — 3 days for immediate family death; additional 2 days for parent, spouse, child or grandchild
Bereavement leave of three (3) days shall be granted for each case where death has occurred in the immediate family. An additional two (2) days shall be granted for the death of a parent, spouse, child or grandchild.
Workday
Contract Days Teacher — 176 pupil attendance days, 4 institute days, 5 emergency days
The Board shall set the calendar which shall not exceed one hundred seventy-six (176) pupil attendance days, four (4) institute days and five (5) emergency days.
Compensation
Credit Union Deductions — Credit union deductions permitted; authorized once per school year with notice
The Board shall deduct from the pay of each teacher, who has provided written authorization to do so, credit union deductions. Teachers shall be permitted to request a credit union deduction once each school year.
Insurance
Dental Coverage — Included in group medical and dental plan
The Board shall pay seventy-three percent (73%) of the single and sixty-nine (69%) of the family premiums for a group medical and dental plan.
Compensation
Dues Deduction — Board deducts Association dues if authorized by employee
The Board shall deduct from each employee's pay the current dues of the Association, provided the Board has authorization from employees desiring such a deduction.
Insurance
Employee Premium Share Pct — Single coverage: Employee's Share 27%, Board's Share 73%
Single Coverage: Employee's Share 27%, Board's Share 73%, TOTAL 100%
Evaluation
Evaluation Conference Timeline — Conference shall be held within fifteen (15) school days following the classroom observation
A copy of each formal written and/or electronic evaluation shall be given to the teacher, and a conference shall be held between the teacher and the qualified evaluator within fifteen 915) school days following the classroom observation.
Evaluation
Evaluation Cycle Years — Tenured teachers rated 'Distinguished or Proficient' may be rated at least once every two (2) years
A tenured teacher shall be evaluated at least once every year, except that teachers rated 'Distinguished or Proficient' in their most recent evaluation may be rated at least once every two (2) years.
Evaluation
Evaluation Observation Minutes — Each formal written evaluation shall be preceded by at least one (1) classroom observation of at least thirty (30) consecutive minutes
Each formal written evaluation shall be preceded by at least one (1) classroom observation of at least thirty (30) consecutive minutes.
Evaluation
Evaluation Right To Respond — Teacher has fifteen (15) school days to respond to evaluation
The time to respond shall not exceed fifteen (15) school days.
Other
Exclusive Recognition — Mendota Education Association recognized as exclusive negotiating agent
The Board recognizes the Mendota Education Association as the exclusive and sole negotiating agent for all regularly employed certificated teaching personnel except superintendent, principal(s), and other central office administrative staff
Other
Extra Curricular Posting — Extra-curricular positions posted at bargaining unit sponsored locations first
Any extra-curricular or extra-duty position shall first be posted at bargaining unit sponsored locations which would include but not be limited to web-based email. Teachers employed by the district will get initial consideration for the position.
Other
Fair Share Fee — Bargaining unit members must join Association or pay fair share fee within 30 days
Each bargaining unit member first employed by the Board after June 17, 1985, as a condition of his/her employment, on or before thirty (30) days from the date of commencement of duties shall join the Association or pay a fair share fee to the Association.
Other
Fair Share Religious Exception — Employees with bona fide religious objection may pay to non-religious charitable organization
Each bargaining unit member may, as provided by Illinois Statute, based upon a bona fide religious tenet or teaching of a church or religious body of which the employee is a member, pay the fair share to a non-religious charitable organization.
Leave
Family And Medical Leave Annual — 12 weeks per year under federal Family and Medical Leave Act
Eligible employees may use unpaid family and medical leave, guaranteed by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, for up to a combined total of 12 weeks for each year.
Grievance
Grievance Arbitration Binding — Final and binding arbitration through American Arbitration Association (AAA)
The Association may submit the grievance to final and binding arbitration through the American Arbitration Association (AAA).
Grievance
Grievance Board Response Timeline — Board President shall provide written decision with reasons within ten (10) days
Upon conclusion of the meeting, the President of the Board shall have ten (10) days in which to provide a written decision with reasons to the grievant and the Association.
Grievance
Grievance No Reprisals — No reprisals of any kind shall be taken by the Board or administration because of participation in a grievance
No reprisals of any kind shall be taken by the Board or the administration against a teacher because of his/her participation in a grievance.
Grievance
Grievance Principal Response Timeline — Principal shall respond within ten (10) days after the meeting
If the principal responds, it shall be within ten (10) days after the meeting. Failure to respond within ten (10) days will automatically continue the grievance to Step 2.
Grievance
Grievance Steps — Four-step grievance procedure: Principal, Superintendent, Board, Arbitration
Step 1 – Principal Level; Step 2—Superintendent Level; Step 3—Board Level; Step 4—Arbitration
Grievance
Grievance Superintendent Response Timeline — Superintendent shall provide written decision with reasons within ten (10) days
Upon conclusion of the meeting the Superintendent shall have ten (10) days in which to provide a written decision with reasons to the Association.
Grievance
Grievance Time Bar — Grievance may be filed within twenty (20) days of the alleged action
A grievance may be filed within twenty (20) days of the alleged action as defined in Paragraph A. above.
Insurance
Health Family Premium — Board pays 69% of family coverage premiums
The Board shall pay seventy-three percent (73%) of the single and sixty-nine (69%) of the family premiums for a group medical and dental plan.
Insurance
Health Single Premium — Board pays 73% of single coverage premiums for group medical and dental plan
The Board shall pay seventy-three percent (73%) of the single and sixty-nine (69%) of the family premiums for a group medical and dental plan. The parties stipulate and agree that the cost of monthly premiums is apportioned as follows.
Leave
Iea Nea Officers Leave — Up to 2 years leave without pay for IEA-NEA officers, with 10 additional days if bargaining unit member becomes IEA regional chairperson
A leave of absence of up to two (2) years without pay shall be granted to any teacher, upon application, for the purpose of serving as an officer of the Association or as a staff member of the Illinois Education Association or the National Education Association.
Compensation
Internal Substitution Rate 2025 2026 — $33.00 per period when accepting class requiring forfeiture of preparation period
Any teacher who accepts a class which requires him/her to forfeit his/her preparation period shall be compensated at the rate of: 2025-2026 – $33.00 per period
Compensation
Internal Substitution Rate 2026 2027 — $34.00 per period when accepting class requiring forfeiture of preparation period
2026-2027 – $34.00 per period
Compensation
Internal Substitution Rate 2027 2028 — $36.00 per period when accepting class requiring forfeiture of preparation period
2027-2028 – $36.00 per period.
Insurance
Life Insurance — Group life insurance of $40,000 for each teacher
The Board shall provide, at no expense to the teacher, a group life insurance program in the amount of $40,000 for each teacher employed, including part-time employees, under a plan acceptable to both the Board and Association.
Compensation
Liquidated Damages — Non-tenured teachers resigning between August 1 and end of school year assessed $500 fine
Non-tenured teachers who issue a resignation to be effective between August 1st and the end of the school year will be assessed a fine of $500.
Leave
Mileage Reimbursement — Current rate allowed by the United States Internal Revenue Service
The Board shall grant a mileage reimbursement for teachers, including those who teach less than a full load, at the current rate allowed by the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Other
No Strike — Association agrees not to engage in any strike during dates of agreement
The Association agrees during the dates of this Agreement it will not engage in any strike.
Compensation
Off Schedule Bonus Yr1 — Additional payment of $1,000 for each teacher commencing the year after reaching Step 18
There shall be an additional payment of $1,000 for each teacher commencing the year after the teacher reaches Step 18 on the MS + 32 Column. This longevity stipend will not be awarded if the base salary increases by more than 1%.
Compensation
Payment Option — Teachers paid on 12-month basis; some may continue 10-month pay if opted in 2024-2025
Teachers, including those who teach less than a full load, shall be paid on a 12-month basis. Any teacher who opted for 10-month pay during the 2024-2025 school year may continue to do so until their retirement.
Leave
Personal Days Annual — Two (2) days each year for personal leave
Two (2) days each year will be granted to each teacher for personal leave. Two (2) unused personal days may be carried over to the following school year.
Leave
Personal Days Consecutive Limit — Teachers may only use two (2) personal days consecutively
Teachers may only use two (2) personal days consecutively. If two (2) consecutive days are used, then another personal may not be used within a five (5) workday window.
Leave
Personal Days Max Accumulation — Maximum of four (4) personal leave days may be accumulated
A maximum of four (4) personal leave days may be accumulated. If a teacher does not need to use the personal leave days and does not request they be carried over, the unused personal leave days will become unused sick leave days.
Leave
Personal Days Notification — Notification of leave must be given 48 hours prior to the leave
Notification of leave must be given to the principal 48 hours prior to the leave.
Leave
Personal Days Restricted Periods — Leave shall not be taken during the first and last week of the school year
Leave shall not be taken during the first and last week of the school year.
Compensation
Post Retirement Bonus — $50 per year for each year of service upon retirement
The Board shall grant any teacher hired prior to the 1994-1995 school year with fifteen (15) or more years of service in the District, upon retirement from the profession, a post retirement bonus equal to the amount of fifty dollars ($50) per year for each year of service to the District.
Evaluation
Probationary Teachers Evaluation Per Semester — At least one evaluation must occur during each semester
At least one of the evaluations must occur during each semester.
Evaluation
Probationary Teachers Formal Evaluation Count — First-year probationary teachers shall be formally evaluated at least two (2) times
All first-year probationary teachers shall be formally evaluated at least two (2) times and informally at least two (2) times during his/her first year of employment with the District.
Leave
Professional Leave Annual — Paid leave to attend convention, conference, meeting, workshop related to teaching field or visitation to other schools
Each teacher, teaching any portion of the school day on a regular basis, shall be entitled to leave with full pay to attend a convention, conference, meeting, workshop, relating to his/her teaching field, or for visitation to other schools.
Retirement
Retirement Incentive Eligibility Age — Teacher at least 54 and turning 55 within six months of last day of service
The teacher is at least fifty-four (54) and turning fifty-five (55) within six (6) months of his/her last day of service.
Retirement
Retirement Incentive One Year Increase — 6% increase in nonexempt TRS creditable earnings for one-year plan
If an eligible Teacher gives the Board an irrevocable letter of retirement prior to May 1 stating that he/she shall retire at the end of the school year, the Teacher's nonexempt TRS creditable earnings shall be increased by six percent (6%).
Retirement
Retirement Incentive Service Years — Twelve or more years of full-time continuous service with district
The teacher has twelve (12) or more years of full-time continuous service with this district prior to the date of retirement.
Retirement
Retirement Incentive Three Year Increase — 6% increase in nonexempt TRS creditable earnings for three-year plan
If an eligible Teacher gives the Board an irrevocable letter of retirement prior to May 1 three (3) years prior to the year of retirement, the Teacher's nonexempt TRS creditable earnings shall be increased by six percent (6%) over the Teacher's nonexempt TRS creditable earnings for the prior years of employment respectively.
Retirement
Retirement Incentive Trs Service — Thirty-five years of service or more in TRS system at time of retirement
The teacher will have thirty-five (35) years of service or more in the TRS system at the time of retirement.
Retirement
Retirement Incentive Two Year Increase — 6% increase in nonexempt TRS creditable earnings for two-year plan
If an eligible Teacher gives the Board an irrevocable letter of retirement prior to May 1 two (2) years prior to the year of retirement, the Teacher's nonexempt TRS creditable earnings shall be increased by six percent (6%) over the Teacher's nonexempt TRS creditable earnings for the prior years of employment respectively.
Retirement
Retirement Pickup Pct — Board pays up to 10% of scheduled salary to TRS; multiplier for 9.4% up to 10% determined by TRS
Board shall pay up to ten percent (10%) of scheduled salary directly to Teachers Retirement Service. Multiplier for 9.4% and up to 10% shall be determined by TRS.
Retirement
Retirement System — TRS (Teachers Retirement System)
The teacher will have thirty-five (35) years of service or more in the TRS system at the time of retirement. TRS creditable earnings will be reduced accordingly.
Compensation
Salary Lanes Count — 9 salary lanes
Salary index lanes: BS, BS+8, BS+16, BS+24, MS, MS+8, MS+16, MS+24, MS+32