Leave
Administrative Workday Request — One administrative workday per school year if substitute available, taken as 1-2 half days or one full day
A certified staff member may request an administrative workday in the event of excessive workload expectations, as deemed appropriate by the director. The director will give written approval of this workday if a substitute is available, which can be taken in 1-2 half days or one full day, not to exceed one workday within one school year.
Other
Annuity Programs Limit — Employer restricts active annuity programs to three in number; additional programs allowed if four or more employees request
The employer retains the right to restrict the number of active annuity programs to three (3) in number. If an annuity slot becomes available, dropping the active annuity program limit below three (3), then new annuity programs can be started by any employee(s), raising the active annuity limit back to three(3). Additional annuity programs, beyond the three (3) active annuity program limit, may be added for payroll deduction purposes if four (4) or more employees make such a request to
Grievance
Arbitration Binding — Binding arbitration through American Arbitration Association; arbitrator authority strictly limited to interpreting Agreement provisions
The opinion of the arbitrator shall not amend, modify, nullify, ignore, or add to the provisions of this Agreement. The arbitrator's authority shall be strictly limited to deciding only the issues presented to her/him in writing by the Cooperative and the Association.
Other
Assignment Notice Certified Staff — Certified staff given notice of tentative teaching assignment at least 60 days prior to school year; in-year changes require 5 days notice
Certified staff shall be given notice of their tentative teaching assignment at least sixty (60) days prior to the beginning of the forthcoming school year. In the event a certified staff employee's assignment is changed during the school year, the employee shall be notified of the change in assignment at least five (5) days prior to the change in assignment.
Other
Assignment Notice Esp — Educational support personnel given notice of tentative assignment at least 30 days prior to school year; in-year changes require 2 days notice
Educational support personnel shall be given notice of their tentative assignment at least thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the forthcoming school year. In the event an ESP employee's assignment is changed during the school year, the employee shall be notified of the change in assignment at least two (2) days prior to the change in assignment.
Other
Association Leave Days — Association entitled to maximum five days per school year for representatives to attend state, regional, or national conferences; limited to two employees per day
In the event that the Association desires to send representatives to a state, regional, or national conference, these representatives shall be excused without loss of salary provided the Association reimburses the District for the cost of substitutes. The Association shall be limited to a maximum of five (5) days per school year. No more than two (2) employees per day shall be excused for said leave.
Other
Association Leave Notice — Notification of Association leave must be submitted in writing to Director at least 15 school days in advance
Notification of such leave shall be submitted in writing to the Director of the Cooperative at least fifteen (15) school days in advance of the date of the leave.
Compensation
Ba Min Salary — Step 1 BS: $41,574
Step 1 BS 41,574
Other
Bargaining Unit Definition — Region III Special Education Association IEA/NEA recognized as sole and exclusive bargaining representative for full and part-time regularly employed employees including Psychologists, Social Workers, Audiologist, Certified Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, Therapists, Paraprofessional, Secretaries, and Therapy Assistants.
recognizes the Region III Special Education Association an affiliate of the Illinois Education Association-NEA and the National Education Association, hereinafter referred to as the Association, as the sole and exclusive bargaining representative for all full and part-time regularly employed employees with the Cooperative including Psychologists, Social Workers, Audiologist, Certified Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, Therapists, Paraprofessional, Secretaries, and Therapy Assistants.
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr1 — 4% increase in salary plus step
2025-2026: Certified staff will receive a 4% increase in salary plus their step as indicated by Appendix A (1)
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr2 — 4% increase in salary plus step
2026-2027: Certified staff will receive a 4% increase in salary plus their step as indicated by Appendix A (2)
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr3 — 4% increase in salary plus step
2027-2028: Certified staff will receive a 4% increase in salary plus their step as indicated by Appendix A (3)
Leave
Bereavement Days — Paid bereavement leave available; runs concurrently with Family Bereavement Leave Act
Any paid bereavement days gifted to you by Region III Cooperative will run concurrently with the days allowed under the Family Bereavement Leave Act.
Leave
Compensation Nonworkday Meetings — If certified staff required to attend meetings on non-workdays, compensated per diem rate of salary or pro rata if less than full day
If a certified staff member is required to attend meetings on dates designated as non-workdays on the school calendar, they will be compensated based upon a per diem rate of their salary.
Workday
Contract Days Teacher — 180 days per school year for certified staff
The number of workdays shall equal the number of student attendance days plus 11 holidays.
Other
Creditable Earnings Contingency — TRS creditable earnings penalty threshold at 6%
This Agreement shall be reopened for consideration upon written demand to bargain by either party, provided that the Cooperative becomes subject to and is required to pay such TRS penalty or contribution, or 2) legislation is enacted or administrative rules adopted during the life of this Agreement that affect the Cooperative's obligation to pay a penalty for creditable earnings increases in excess of 6% under the Teacher Retirement System.
Insurance
Dental Coverage — Board pays up to $40 per month toward dental insurance
Board shall pay up to $40 per month toward the individual's premium for vision and dental insurance.
Workday
Director Assigned Workdays — Itinerant teachers assigned to Director shall follow calendar/work year established by Director, not to exceed 180 full teacher responsibility days
Itinerant teachers who are assigned to the Director shall follow a calendar and work year established by the Director. For such employees, the work year shall not exceed one hundred eighty (180) full teacher responsibility days.
Other
Dress Code General — All employees dress appropriately for school setting; clothing must cover private areas; pants, capris, dresses, skirts acceptable; shoes clean/comfortable; no holes; jewelry must not hang from body
All employees will dress appropriately for the school setting. Clothing must cover private areas at all times while bending, kneeling, or leaning down. Clothing should allow an employee to move as needed. Pants, capris, dresses, and skirts are acceptable.
Other
Dress Down Friday — Employees welcome to wear jeans and shorts of appropriate length on Fridays; district housed employees must follow district casual dress policy
Employees are welcome to wear jeans and shorts of appropriate length on Fridays. However, if an employee is housed in a district building, they must follow the districts casual dress policy.
Other
Employees Part Time Inclusion — Employees not employed on full time basis (FTE 1.0) included in bargaining unit and subject to terms of Agreement, but salaries and benefits based on fractionalized employment status.
Employees not employed on a full time basis (FTE 1.0) shall be included in the bargaining unit and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, but their salaries and benefits shall be based on their fractionalized employment status.
Other
Esp Assignment Notice — ESP given notice of tentative assignment at least 30 days prior to school year; in-year changes require 2 days notice
Educational support personnel shall be given notice of their tentative assignment at least thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the forthcoming school year. In the event an ESP employee's assignment is changed during the school year, the employee shall be notified of the change in assignment at least two (2) days prior to the change in assignment.
Retirement
Esp Retirement Bonus — $100.00 per year of service upon retirement
Any ESP eligible to retire under IMRF rules shall receive upon retirement One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per years of service with Region III.
Retirement
Esp Retirement Incentive 4pct — 4% annual salary increase for up to 3 years notice
Whenever an ESP is first eligible for retirement without a reduced annuity and has at least ten (10) years of service with Region III and provides an irrevocable letter of intent to retire no later than August 1, shall have his/her annual salary increased four percent (4%) for up to a maximum of three years of employment.
Evaluation
Evaluation Committee Certified — Evaluation Committee of 2 administrative representatives and 3 Association representatives
An Evaluation Committee, consisting of (2) two administrative representatives and three (3) representatives appointed by the Association, shall be established.
Evaluation
Evaluation Cycle Years — Annual evaluation schedule with remediation steps required before termination
All employees of Region III will be evaluated according to the schedule. All remediation steps will be listed in writing in the evaluation plan before any employee is evaluated
Other
Extended School Year Rate Esp — ESPs paid $17.00 per hour for extended school year
For extended school year, ESP's will be paid $17.00 per hour.
Compensation
Extra Duty Stipend — Extra duty stipend of $50 for special events for student support
If ESPs are required to attend a special event for student support, a $50 stipend will be paid.
Other
Facilities Use Notice — Local Association must request use of school facilities at least 72 hours prior to scheduled date
The local Association shall make it request to the local Superintendent or the Director at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the scheduled date of the meeting.
Grievance
Grievance Steps — Three-step grievance procedure: informal resolution, Step A with Director, Step B with Executive Board subcommittee, and final binding arbitration.
grievance may be processed as follows: A. The grievance or Association shall present the grievance in writing within twenty (20) days. B. If the grievance is not resolved at Step A, the aggrieved or the Association may refer the grievance to the Executive Board within ten (10) days. C. If the Association is not satisfied with the disposition of the grievance at Step B, the Association may submit the grievance to final and binding arbitration.
Insurance
Health Single Premium — Board pays up to $625 per month for individual healthcare premium (2025-2026)
The Board shall pay up to the following amount for insurance: 2025-2026 up to $625 per month for individual healthcare premium
Workday
Iep Conference Requirement — Certified staff responsible for IEP Conferences as exception to regular workday
In addition to the regular workday, certified staff shall be responsible for: IEP Conferences
Other
In Service Training Annual — 2 In-Service Trainings offered annually for all staff
The Region shall offer two (2) In-Service Trainings for all staff during the school year.
Other
Inservice Training Requirement — Region shall offer two (2) In-Service Trainings for all staff during the school year
The Region shall offer two (2) In-Service Trainings for all staff during the school year.
Compensation
Internal Substitution Rate — Teacher assigned responsibility for another teacher's class paid in addition to regular salary the current daily substitute rate for day or pro rata amount if less than full day; if 2+ teachers share, share rate pro rata
A teacher who is assigned responsibility for another teacher's class in addition to their own classroom responsibilities shall be paid in addition to their regular salary the current daily substitute rate for the day or a pro rata amount for the time worked if less than a full day.
Other
Itinerant Workday Hours — Region III certified itinerant employees (e.g. Psychologist, Social Worker, Speech & Language Pathologist) work minimum 37½ hours per week
Region III certified itinerant employees who are not assigned to a particular school district, e.g. Psychologist, Social Worker, and the Itinerant Visual and Hearing Impaired Teachers, Behavior Coach, and Speech & Language Pathologist will work a minimum of 37 1/2 hours per week, inclusive of a duty free lunch.
Other
Labor Management Cooperation — Association, Director, and Executive Board designee will cooperate in establishing meetings to address issues and concerns; communication lab format for discussion without proposing solutions
The Association, Director, and Executive Board designee, where appropriate, will cooperate in establishing meetings to address issues and concerns during the life of this agreement. Either party may submit agenda items and will establish a mutually agreed upon time to discuss the agenda. The format should follow the philosophy of the communication lab.
Other
Longevity Bonus 18 Years — Teachers with 18+ years of service receive $1,000 annually
All Teachers who have twenty-five (25) years or more of employment service with Region III, will be given One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00) annually, to be paid in a separate check, after the last regularly scheduled pay period for May.
Other
Longevity Bonus 25 Years — Teachers with 25+ years of service receive $1,000 annually
All Teachers who have twenty-five (25) years or more of employment service with Region III, will be given One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00) annually, to be paid in a separate check, after the last regularly scheduled pay period for May.
Other
Longevity Bonus Esp — $500.00 annually after 15 years of service
All ESPs who have fifteen (15) years or more of employment service with Region III, will be given Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) annually, to be paid in a separate check, after the last regularly scheduled pay period in May.
Other
Longevity Bonus Teachers — $500.00 annually after 20 years of service
All Teachers who have Twenty (20) years or more of employment service with Region III, will be given Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) annually, to be paid in a separate check, after the last regularly scheduled pay period for May.
Compensation
Ma Min Salary — Step 1 MS: $45,198
Step 1 MS 45,198
Other
Mentor Teacher Stipend — Mentor teacher receives $250 stipend paid in April
If a certified staff member accepts the responsibility as a mentor teacher, the teacher will be paid a stipend of $250 to be paid in April of the school year.
Other
Mileage Reimbursement — Reimbursed at current IRS rate
Mileage will be reimbursed at the current IRS rate. If any employee is required to travel between schools during their workday as part of their job, they will be reimbursed at the current IRS rate.
Other
Negotiation Procedures Timeline — Negotiations to begin no later than April 30, meetings as needed and agreed by both parties, meetings limited to 3 hours unless extended by mutual agreement.
A date to begin negotiations shall be established no later than April 30. Meetings will be held as necessary at times and places agreed to by both parties. The meetings shall be limited to 3 hours, unless discussions are meaningful, then, by mutual agreement, time may be extended.
Compensation
Off Schedule Bonus Yr1 — 4% salary increase over previous year's creditable earnings for each of the final two years of employment
Any teacher eligible to retire under the Teacher Retirement System and who provides the Cooperative with an irrevocable letter of retirement effective in two (2) years shall go off the salary schedule and shall instead receive a 4% salary increase over the previous year's creditable earnings.
Other
Organization Dues Withholding — Board withholds dues/payments to labor organization upon written employee request; transmitted within 10 working days; Association agrees to defend employer in legal actions arising from compliance
The board shall, upon written request of an employee, withhold from the compensation of that employee any dues, payments or contributions payable by such employee to an employee labor organization as defined in the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Under such arrangement, an amount shall be withheld from each regular payroll period which is equal to the pro rata share of the annual dues plus any payments or contributions and the board shall transmit such withholdings to the specified labor
Compensation
Overtime Rate — Overtime paid at 1.5 times hourly rate for hours over 40 per week
If the Director requires or requests an ESP to work in excess of forty (40) hours per week, the ESP shall be compensated at one and one-half (1-1/2) times their hourly rate.
Compensation
Overtime Rate Esp — 1.5 times hourly rate or compensatory time at 1.5 times rate
Overtime-If the Director requires an ESP to work in excess of forty (40) hours per week, the ESP shall be compensated at one and one-half (1-1/2) times their hourly rate or be given compensatory time off at the one and one-half (1-1/2) times rate.
Leave
Paraprofessional License — All paraprofessionals required to apply for paraprofessional license; Region III reimburses fee and registration after 12 months continued employment
All employees hired as paraprofessionals are required to apply for a paraprofessional license and show proof of issuance before their first day of employment is scheduled. After 12 months of continued employment Region III will reimburse the paraprofessional the license fee and registration.
Other
Paraprofessional License Reimbursement — Region III will reimburse paraprofessional license fee and registration after 12 months of continued employment
After 12 months of continued employment Region III will reimburse the paraprofessional the license fee and registration.
Workday
Parent Teacher Conference Requirement — Certified staff responsible for Parent/Teacher Conferences as exception to regular workday
In addition to the regular workday, certified staff shall be responsible for: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Other
Payroll Deduction Authorization Changes — Limited to two authorization changes per program per year, in January and September; requires ten working days notice to Board
Employees shall be limited to two (2) authorization changes per program per year. Such changes can only occur in the months of January and September and the employee must inform the Board with at least ten (10) working days' notice.
Compensation
Payroll Deduction Limits — Employees limited to two (2) authorization changes per program per year, in January and September only
Employees shall be limited to two (2) authorization changes per program per year. Such changes can only occur in the months of January and September.
Other
Payroll Deduction Programs — Employees may authorize payroll deductions for: Tax Sheltered Annuity, Dues Deductions, Flex Accounts, Supplemental Insurance, HSA-Health Savings Account
Employees shall have the right to authorize payroll deductions for the following: Tax Sheltered Annuity, Dues Deductions, Flex Accounts, Supplemental Insurance, HSA-Health Savings Account
Leave
Personal Days Annual — Reimbursement for loss, damage or destruction of personal property necessary for employee's daily function such as eyeglasses, hearing aids
The employer shall reimburse the bargaining unit member for the loss, damage or destruction of personal property necessary for the employee's daily function such as but not limited to, eyeglasses, hearing aids etc.
Other
Personnel File Review — Employees can review personnel file during non-work time within two Region III central office business days of written request
Each employee shall have the right to review the contents of said employee personnel file (except for that material in the file which is exempted from review by the Illinois Personnel Review Records Act) within two Region III central office business days from receipt of the written request. Employees can view their personnel file during non-work time and when it does not interrupt the normal workday.
Other
Probation Period Esp — 90-day probationary period for newly hired ESPs
A newly hired ESP, who has not previously been in the service of the Cooperative, shall be a probationary ESP for the first Ninety (90) days of their employment
Other
Professional Certification Reimbursement — Up to $150.00 per person per year for certification maintenance
The Cooperative agrees to reimburse Speech Pathologists, Audiologists, and Occupational and Physical Therapy Assistants for the actual, direct cost that is incurred so as to maintain the 'additional certification' requirement. Cost will be paid up to $150.00 dollars per person per year.
Other
Professional Conference Alldaymeal — All-day conference with three meals: employee may choose cooperative reimburse up to $43.00
If an employee attends an all-day conference which requires all three (3) meals, the employee may choose to have the Cooperative reimburse the employees up to Forty-Three and 00/100 Dollars ($43.00) for all meals.