Grievance
Academic Freedom Complaint — Three-step procedure: teacher/principal/third party conference, then Superintendent review with final decision
The teacher, principal, and third party will hold a conference in an attempt to solve the complaint or objection. If resolution cannot be achieved at principal's level, Superintendent will review the outcome.
Other
Academic Freedom Philosophy — Teachers should present instructional materials pertinent to subject and level within curriculum outlines and planned instructional program
Teachers should present instructional materials that are pertinent to the subject and level taught, within the outlines of appropriate course content and within the planned instructional program.
Other
Agreement Duration — Agreement effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029
This agreement shall be effective from 12:00 a.m. of July 1, 2024 and shall continue in effect through 11:59 p.m. of June 30, 2029.
Grievance
Arbitration Binding — Yes - arbitrator's decision is final and binding
The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding upon the parties. His/her decision must be based solely and only upon his/her interpretation of the meaning or application of the express relevant language of the Agreement.
Other
Arbitration Costs Split — Fees and expenses of arbitrator and all related expenses borne equally by Association and school district
The fees and expenses of the arbitrator, and all related expenses, shall be borne equally by the Association and the school district. Should either party request a transcript of the proceedings, that party will bear the cost of the transcript.
Other
Assignment Notification Timeline — Written notice of tentative assignment no later than last day of school; changes notified within 5 working days
An Employee shall be given written notice of his/her tentative assignment(s) for the forthcoming school year no later than the last day of school of the current academic year. Such notice shall include building location(s), work schedule, and name of supervisor(s). In the event there is a change in the tentative assignment, the teacher shall be notified within five (5) working days.
Other
Association Agenda Placement — Board shall place Association concerns as first item under 'Communications' on regular Board meeting agenda; Association allowed reasonable time for additional concerns
The Board shall place on the agenda of each regular Board meeting, as the first item for consideration under 'Communications,' any concerns brought to its attention by the Association. Further, the Association shall be allowed reasonable time to speak to any additional concerns considered at the Board of Education meeting.
Other
Association Announcements — Association announcements with no student impact may be read over intercom at regularly scheduled times and placed on bulletin boards
Announcements of Association business that have no impact on the student body may be read over the intercom system in each school building. Such announcements shall be made at the times regularly scheduled for announcements in each building and may also be placed on appropriate bulletin boards.
Other
Association Assignment Schedule — Association provided schedule of teacher assignments at beginning of each school year
The Association shall be provided a schedule of teacher assignments at the beginning of each school year.
Other
Association Dues Deduction — Support staff who are Association members may authorize deduction of Association dues from regular pay checks
Any support staff who is a member of the Association may sign and deliver to the Board Office an assignment authorizing deduction of Association dues.
Other
Association Equipment Use — Association may use school equipment (computers, duplicating, audio-visual) with administrative approval when not in use; Association reimburses for supplies
The Association shall have the right, with approval of a designated administrator, to use school equipment including, but not limited to computers, duplicating equipment, and all types of audio-visual equipment when such equipment is not otherwise in use. The Association will reimburse the district for the cost of supplies.
Other
Association Exclusive Rights — Rights granted to Association not extended to competing employee organizations as long as Association maintains majority membership
The rights granted to the Association in this Agreement shall not be granted or extended to any competing Employee organization except as required by law, provided the Mokena Teachers' Association maintains a majority of membership of the employed teachers in the district.
Other
Association Facility Use — Association may use District facilities for meetings; if requested facility unavailable, another school facility provided if possible
The Employer will allow the Association to use District facilities for meetings. If the requested facility is unavailable, another school facility will be provided if possible.
Other
Association Leave — Association may send representative(s) to conferences, conventions without loss of salary not exceeding 8 days per school year; District reimbursed for substitutes
In the event the Association desires to send a representative(s) to conferences, conventions or other meetings, the representative(s) may be excused without loss of salary, provided that the frequency of excused leave shall not impair the quality of classroom instruction. Association leave will not exceed eight (8) days per school year, with the Association reimbursing the District for the cost of the substitute teacher(s).
Other
Association Meeting Days — Association president and Superintendent confer to determine appropriate dates and times for Association meetings during school year
It is understood that during the course of the school year, the Association will need to meet with its members for the purposes of conducting Association business. The Association president and the Superintendent shall confer to determine appropriate dates and times for these meetings.
Other
Association Rights — Association given membership meetings, information access, and representation rights
Article 2: ASSOCIATION RIGHTS providing membership meetings, information provision, representation, and facility access
Compensation
Athletic Event Duty Pay — Gatekeeper/Supervisor per event 2025-2026
Athletic Event Duties - Gatekeeper/Supervisor (per event) $50/pp for 2025-2026 school year.
Compensation
Ba Min Salary — $15.60 per hour
Building Aide/Learning Center Aide/Health Aide/AA School Professional III starting rate 2024-2025: $15.60
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr1 — 2% increase (half of 4% negotiated raise)
Starting rates for all positions shall increase by half of the negotiated increase for the previous year of the Agreement. 2024-2025 annual raise was 4%, starting rates increase by half, so 2%.
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr2 — 2.75% increase (half of 5.5% negotiated raise)
Starting rates increase by half of negotiated increase. 2025-2026 annual raise 5.5%, starting rates increase by half, so 2.75%.
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr3 — 3% increase (half of 6% negotiated raise)
Starting rates increase by half of negotiated increase. 2026-2027 annual raise 6.0%, starting rates increase by half, so 3%.
Leave
Bereavement Days — Two (2) non-cumulative paid days per occurrence for condolence leave in event of death in family
Full-time employees working nine (9) months or more per year shall be granted two non-cumulative paid days per occurrence for condolence leave in the event of the death in the family.
Other
Board Meeting Notification — Association president or designee given written notice of regular or special Board meeting with agenda at least 48 hours prior
The president of the Association or his/her designee shall be given written notice of any regular or special meeting of the Board along with a copy of the agenda or statement of purpose of such meeting. Every reasonable effort shall be made to provide this information at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled time of such meeting.
Other
Board Minutes Copies — Four (4) copies of approved Board minutes for open session delivered to Association president; during summer (June, July, August) one (1) copy emailed
Four (4) copies of the approved Board of Education minutes for all open session meetings shall be delivered to the president of the Association as soon as they have been prepared. The delivery may be in paper form or by electronic transmission. During the non-attendance months of June, July, and August, one (1) copy will be emailed to the president of the Association.
Other
Board Packet Delivery — Board of Education 'Board Packet' delivered to Association president at least 2 work days prior to Board meeting via electronic transmission
The Board of Education 'Board Packet' will be delivered to the president of the Association at least two (2) work days prior to each Board of Education meeting. The delivery will be via an electronic transmission.
Other
Bulletin Board And Mailboxes — Association has right to distribute printed materials in district facilities, use employer mail service and member mailboxes; bulletin board in each staff dining/work area at Association expense
The Association shall have the right to distribute printed materials in each district facility and the right to use the Employer's mail service and bargaining unit member's mailboxes for communication to bargaining unit members. The Association shall have, in each school building, a bulletin board in each staff dining room or work area at the Association expense.
Other
Bus Driver Stipend 2025 2026 — Bus driver stipend at $25.50 per hour for 2025-2026 school year
The stipend associated with driving a bus for the 2025/2026 school year will be at the starting hourly rate of $25.50. This hourly amount will be increased annually for the following years: 2026-2027 = 5%; 2027-2028 = 4.5%; 2028-2029 = 4.5%; 2029-2030 = TBD
Other
Bypass Grievance Procedure — Any step of grievance procedure may be bypassed by mutual written agreement between parties
By mutual written agreement between the parties, any step of the grievance procedure may be bypassed.
Other
Class Grievance Initial Filing — Class grievances involving multiple employees, supervisors, or above-building administrators may be initially filed at Step II
Grievances involving more than one employee, more than one supervisor, or an administrator above the building level may be initially filed at Step II.
Compensation
Clothing Allowance Nurse Health Aide — annual clothing allowance for uniform and shoes
The employer shall grant the Nurse and Health Aide(s) each an annual clothing allowance of two hundred dollars ($200) for the purchase of uniform and/or shoes.
Compensation
Clothing Allowance Outside Duty — up to seventy-five dollars for footwear
The employer shall make available District-owned winter coats for use by Support Staff employees assigned to outside duty and will reimburse such employees up to seventy-five dollars ($75) towards job-appropriate footwear.
Compensation
Committee Compensation — Committee members compensated at rate of $40 per hour
Teachers who agree to serve as members of a district or building level committee shall be compensated at a rate of $40 per hour for time in attendance at committee meetings.
Other
Conflict Resolution Preference — Good faith effort to resolve issues informally; conflict among faculty resolved through conference facilitated by administrator
A good faith effort will be made, through open and free discussion between the Teacher and the Administration, to resolve issues before they reach a degree requiring written documentation placed in the Teacher's personnel file. In the event an issue involves a conflict between or among faculty, the Teachers involved shall ordinarily participate in a conference facilitated by an Administrator in an effort to resolve the conflict.
Workday
Contract Days Teacher — Twelve (12) consecutive months of health insurance coverage coinciding with twenty-six (26) bi-weekly pay periods
The Board-provided insurance shall be for twelve (12) consecutive months. These twelve (12) consecutive months shall coincide with the twenty-six (26) bi-weekly pay periods as part of the compensation package.
Other
Course Completion Timeline — All courses must be completed by end of Summer 2027 Semester; courses begin Summer 2025
Courses will open beginning in the Summer Semester of 2025 and all courses must be completed by the end of the Summer 2027 Semester.
Other
Court Reporter Cost Split — Single party requesting court reporter bears full cost; if other party wants copy, costs shared
If only one party requests the presence of a court reporter, that party shall bear the cost of the reporter. If the other party wants a copy, the other party must share the cost.
Insurance
Dental Coverage — Board shall pay the actual cost of the annual premium for the dental coverage selected by the Employee, or $500, whichever is less.
For Employees working at least 7.5 hours per day, and at least 187 days per year, the Board shall pay the actual cost of the annual premium for the dental coverage selected by the Employee, or $500, whichever is less.
Other
Disciplinary Due Process — Formal letter of reprimand issued within 20 working days of disciplinary hearing; teacher has 20 working days to respond in writing
Any formal letter of reprimand will be issued to the Teacher within 20 working days of the disciplinary hearing. Upon receipt of the letter of reprimand the Teacher shall have the right to respond in writing, within 20 working days.
Other
District Facilities Use — Telephones, copiers, printers, computers, facsimiles, and electronic equipment normally available shall be available to employees for proper execution of duties; administrative equipment exempt
In each building, telephones, copiers, printers, computers, facsimiles, and any other electronic equipment normally available, shall be available to aid Employees in the proper execution of their assigned duties. Equipment designated for administrative use shall be exempt.
Other
Dues Deduction Timeline — no later than thirty calendar days after receipt of written request
By no later than thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of a written request from a member authorizing dues deductions, the Board shall begin deducting Association dues.
Other
Employee Orientation — Reasonable time (up to one hour) available during first scheduled Institute Day for Association purposes at Association's written request
The Association and the Employer agree that, at the written request of the Association, a reasonable time (up to one [1] hour) will be made available during the first scheduled Institute Day for Association purposes.
Insurance
Employee Premium Share Pct — Any portion of the Employee premium not covered by payroll deductions shall be paid by the Employee in reasonable installments as required by the District Business Office.
Any portion of the Employee premium not covered by payroll deductions shall be paid by the Employee in reasonable installments as required by the District Business Office.
Evaluation
Evaluation Cycle Years — at least once every other year
Each employee will be evaluated by his/her administrative supervisor at least once every other year. The evaluation conference will be held at a mutually agreed-upon time.
Evaluation
Evaluation System Pera — PERA - Evaluation and Professional Development system referenced
ARTICLE 15.5 - PERA – Evaluation and Professional Development; evaluation procedures governed by Performance Evaluation Reform Act provisions
Other
Gifted Education Endorsement Program — Program to secure Gifted Education endorsements for eligible District 159 teachers through University of St. Francis coursework
the following program is made available for the purpose of securing Gifted Education endorsements for eligible District 159 teachers: Teachers working under a Professional Educator License are eligible to apply to participate in this program.
Other
Gifted Program Participation Discretionary — Participation determined by sole and non-grievable discretion of Administration and not guaranteed
Participation will be determined by the sole and non-grievable discretion of the Administration and is not guaranteed.
Grievance
Grievance Definition — A grievance is defined as a complaint or claim by an employee or the Association that there has been an alleged violation, misinterpretation or misapplication of any provisions of this Agreement
A grievance is defined as a complaint or claim by an employee or the Association that there has been an alleged violation, misinterpretation or misapplication of any provisions of this Agreement.
Other
Grievance Records Separate — All records related to grievance filed separately from personnel files of affected employees
All records related to a grievance shall be filed separately from the personnel files of the affected Employees.
Other
Grievance Settlement Anytime — Grievance may be settled at any step by mutual agreement without establishing prejudice or precedent
By mutual agreement of the Association and the Employer, a grievance may be settled at any step with or without establishing prejudice or a precedent.
Grievance
Grievance Steps — Step I (supervisor), Step II (superintendent), Step III (board of education), Step IV (arbitration)
If the grievance is not resolved informally, the grievant shall present the grievance in writing to the immediately involved supervisor no later than ten (10) days following the informal process.
Insurance
Health Family Premium — Board contribution toward premiums as members of the Mokena Teachers' Association bargaining unit. Any portion of the Employee premium not covered by payroll deductions shall be paid by the Employee in reasonable installments.
Eligible Employees who sign up will participate in the District's group medical coverage options on the same terms and conditions (including Board contribution toward premiums) as members of the Mokena Teachers' Association bargaining unit.
Insurance
Health Single Premium — Eligible Employees who sign up will participate in the District's group medical coverage options on the same terms and conditions as members of the Mokena Teachers' Association bargaining unit.
Eligible Employees (defined as those working on average 30 or more hours per week per the regulations and interpretations of the Affordable Care Act) may sign up for any of the District's group medical coverage options.
Other
Informal Dialogue Before Reprimand — Teacher given opportunity for informal dialogue with administrator before formal written reprimand placed in file
A Teacher will be given an opportunity to discuss the concerns in an informal dialogue with an administrator before a formal written reprimand is placed in a Teacher's personnel file, if necessary.
Workday
Instructional Minutes Day — Student instructional day with minimum 150 minutes planning time and 150 minutes collaboration time per week
Teachers will have a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) minutes per five (5) day week of Teacher-directed planning time within the student instructional day. Teachers will have a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) minutes per five (5) day week of professional collaboration (or team) time within the student instructional day.
Insurance
Insurance Coverage — Insurance benefits detailed in Article 13.F
Article 13: SALARY AND BENEFITS - F. Insurance
Workday
Job Opening Internal Posting — minimum of five workdays prior to external posting
New bargaining unit job openings will be posted internally for a minimum of five (5) workdays prior to being posted externally and shall be filled by the Superintendent of Schools or the Board of Education.
Other
Junior High Prep Limit — Junior High employees not required to teach more than three (3) different preparations
When possible, Junior High employees shall not be required to teach more than three (3) different preparations. A preparation is defined as courses of the same subject area, curriculum level, and grade level, with the understanding that Reading/Language Arts constitutes one preparation and different levels of subject areas at one grade level constitute one preparation.
Compensation
Lane Advancement Allowed — Yes, lane advancement based on graduate hours earned
12 graduate hours beyond Bachelor's degree (BA+12), 12 additional graduate hours (BA+24, no Masters), Master's Degree, MA+15, MA+30
Other
Lunch Duty Free Minutes — Thirty (30) minute duty-free lunch period provided to teachers
Teachers shall be provided a thirty (30) minute duty-free lunch.
Workday
Lunch Period Break — duty-free lunch of not less than one-half hour
Each employee working six and three-quarter (6.75) or more continuous hours shall have a duty-free lunch of not less than one-half (½) hour.