Grievance
Arbitration Binding — Binding arbitration available if grievance unresolved at Board level
If the Association is not satisfied with the disposition of the grievance at Step 'c' or the time limits expire without the issuance of the Board of Education's written reply, the Association may submit the grievance to binding arbitration.
Other
Assignment Notification Deadline — Written notice of assignment for forthcoming year by May 15th of preceding school term
All teachers shall be given written notice of their assignments for the forthcoming year no later than May 15th of the preceding school term. In the event that changes in assignments shall be necessary, the teacher(s) so affected shall be personally notified.
Leave
Association Leave Annual — Worth Education Association allowed a total of 8 days per year for Association leave
The Worth Education Association shall be allowed a total of 8 days per year for Association leave subject to the following provisions.
Compensation
Ba Max Salary — BA Step 12: $57,407
Step 12 BA Rate 57,407. BA will freeze at step 12.
Compensation
Ba Min Salary — BA Step 1: $45,565
Step 1 BA Rate 45,565
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr1 — 2.7% increase from 2025-2026 to 2026-2027 for 0 to 5 Years step
2025-2026: Regular Rate Part Time Custodian 0 to 5 Years: 19.70; 2026-2027: 20.34
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr2 — 3.0% increase from 2026-2027 to 2027-2028 for 0 to 5 Years step
2026-2027: Regular Rate Part Time Custodian 0 to 5 Years: 20.34; 2027-2028: 20.95
Compensation
Base Salary Increase Yr3 — 3.0% increase from 2027-2028 to 2028-2029 for 0 to 5 Years step
2027-2028: Regular Rate Part Time Custodian 0 to 5 Years: 20.95; 2028-2029: 21.57
Leave
Bereavement Days — Up to 3 consecutive days for death of immediate family, not deducted from sick leave
Absence of a maximum of three (3) consecutive days for death in the immediate family or household shall not be deducted from accumulated sick leave provided that such bereavement days are taken immediately following the death or for the services of the immediate family member.
Other
Birth Adoption Leave Duration — If leave begins after February 1, 2 additional years shall be granted, if requested
If the leave begins after February 1, 2 additional years, if requested, shall be granted. A teacher may request an earlier return with same to be considered and granted in so far as possible.
Other
Class Size Maximum — Grade level class sizes shall not exceed 30 students
Every reasonable effort shall be made to maintain grade level class sizes of no more than 30 students. If any class exceeds thirty (30) students, the Building Principal shall meet with the teacher involved to discuss the situation.
Workday
Contract Days Teacher — Institute Days are full work days; other support staff work assigned regular hours on Institute Days
Institute Days shall be full work days. All other members of the bargaining unit shall work their assigned number of regular work hours on Institute Days.
Other
Contract Term — July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029
This agreement shall be in force and effect from July 1, 2025 until June 30, 2029.
Insurance
Dental Coverage — $3,000 provided to employees selecting no insurance coverage
The Board shall provide $3,000 to employees who select no insurance coverage, to be used for: a) single or family dental insurance
Workday
Duty Free Lunch Minutes — Full-time secretaries entitled to thirty minute duty free lunch; all other full-time employees entitled to thirty minute duty free lunch
Full-time secretaries shall be entitled to a thirty (30) minute duty free lunch. All other full-time employees shall be entitled to a thirty (30) minute duty free lunch. Part-time employees do not receive a duty-free lunch.
Insurance
Employee Premium Share Pct — Employee pays 20% for Single+1 and family coverage
The Board shall pay 80% of the Single +1 premium, employee plus spouse, employee plus children, or the family premium for those who select dependent insurance coverage, with the balance (20%) paid by the employee.
Evaluation
Evaluation Cycle — teacher evaluation provided per Article IV
ARTICLE IV TEACHER EVALUATION
Evaluation
Evaluation Cycle Years — Teacher evaluations conducted annually in accordance with PERA Joint Agreement
Teacher evaluations shall be conducted in accordance with the PERA Joint Agreement Evaluation Performance Plan and applicable law. The PERA Joint Agreement Evaluation Committee shall meet at least once before the end of each school year.
Other
Exclusive Bargaining Representative — Worth Education Support Team (WEST)
The Board of Education of Worth School District 127, Cook County, Illinois recognizes the Worth Education Support Team as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for all full-time and part-time secretaries, paraprofessionals, and custodial employees.
Leave
Family Medical Leave Act Compliance — The Board and Association agree to comply with the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The Board and Association agree to comply with the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), pursuant to Board Policy # 5:185 – Family and Medical Leave.
Grievance
Grievance Steps — Multiple levels: superintendent, association president, building principal
All grievances shall be processed through the Association with written copies to be submitted to the superintendent, association president, and building principal, if applicable.
Insurance
Health Family Premium — Board pays 80% of Single +1 or family premium
The Board shall pay 80% of the Single +1 premium or the family premium for those who select dependent insurance coverage, with the balance (20%) paid by the employee.
Insurance
Health Insurance — health insurance provided through South Suburban Benefit Coop
Provided the Board remains a participant in the Cooperative, the Association shall be furnished upon request with copies of the South Suburban Benefit Coop (health insurance plan) minutes, health plans, and any other pertinent information as they become available.
Insurance
Health Single Premium — Board pays 90% of single premium
The Board shall pay 90% of the single premium for those who select single insurance coverage, with the remaining 10% paid by the employee
Insurance
Hsa Employer Contribution — Board provides $3,000 to employees who select no insurance coverage
The Board shall provide $3,000 to employees who select no insurance coverage, to be used for: single or family dental insurance; contribution to a district-provided Flexible Spending Account; vision insurance; or taxable compensation.
Leave
Injury On Job Supplement — District supplements worker's compensation for 90 days to normal take-home pay
The District shall pay the difference between the worker's compensation payment and the employee's normal take home pay for ninety (90) days beginning the fourth day following the injury.
Workday
Instructional Minutes Day — 6.75 hours per day for paraprofessionals; 7.5 hours for full-time secretaries
Paraprofessional 6.75 paid hours; Secretary Full-time 7.50 paid hours
Other
Junior High Class Limit — Junior High School teachers not required to teach more than 5 classes
Teachers at the Junior High School shall not be required to teach more than five (5) classes, but will be required to attend team planning on a daily basis.
Leave
Jury Duty Leave — In instances when a teacher shall be absent for reason of jury duty, no salary or sick leave deductions shall be made
In instances when a teacher shall be absent for reason of jury duty, no salary or sick leave deductions shall be made. Upon receipt of payment for such duty, the teacher may keep the payment.
Compensation
Lane Advancement Allowed — Social Workers with Master's degree placed on MA+30 lane; Speech Pathologists on MA+30 Lane
Social Workers with a Master's degree in Social Work shall be placed on the appropriate step in the MA+30 lane. Speech Pathologists with a Masters Degree shall be placed on the appropriate step in the MA + 30 Lane.
Insurance
Life Insurance — Life insurance program for $40,000 with full premium paid by Board
Teachers may participate in a life insurance program with the full amount of the premium to be paid by the Board of Education. The life insurance amount will be for $40,000 with no fringe benefit for employees not electing this coverage.
Other
Lunch Period Duty Free — 30 minute duty free lunch period scheduled by building principal
The teacher work day shall include a 30 minute duty free lunch period to be scheduled by the building principal with limited variations as determined by the building principals and agreed to by affected teacher(s).
Compensation
Ma Max Salary — MA Step 31: $91,795
MA Rate Step 31: 91,795
Compensation
Ma Min Salary — MA Step 1: $48,885
Step 1 MA Rate 48,885
Other
Mentor Stipend Year1 — Mentors of 1st year teachers paid $1000
Mentors of 1st year teachers will be paid $1000. The stipend shall be reduced by $145 for each day that a mentor does not attend scheduled summer mentoring sessions.
Other
Mentor Stipend Year2 — Mentors of 2nd year teachers paid $500
Mentors of 2nd year teachers will be paid $500. Mentor spends are paid twice per year, in the second paycheck of December and in the last paycheck in June.
Other
Mentoring Stipend Yr1 — First year teacher mentors paid $1000 stipend; reduced by $145 per day for missed summer sessions
Mentors of 1st year teachers will be paid $1000. The stipend shall be reduced by $145 for each day that a mentor does not attend scheduled summer mentoring sessions.
Other
Mentoring Stipend Yr2 — Second year teacher mentors paid $500 stipend twice per year
Mentors of 2nd year teachers will be paid $500. Mentor stipends are paid twice per year, in the second paycheck of December and in the last paycheck in June.
Other
Mid Year Assignment Change Notice — 10 business days notice required for assignment changes during school term
If such changes are necessary during the school term, the teacher(s) so affected shall be notified ten (10) business days prior to such action being taken.
Compensation
Mileage Reimbursement — Mileage reimbursed at prevailing IRS rate for pre-approved travel
Teachers covered by this Agreement who must engage in pre-approved travel during the course of the regular school day for the purpose of conducting classes shall be reimbursed for their mileage at the prevailing IRS rate.
Other
No Strike Clause — Association members prohibited from strikes, slowdown, work stoppage, or picketing
Neither the Association nor any of its members for any reason will authorize, institute, aid, condone, or engage in slowdown, work stoppage, strike, or picketing in any manner which would disrupt the operation of the schools.
Other
Non Discrimination Clause — No discrimination against persons based on membership status in Association; membership not condition of employment
The Board and Association recognize the rights of individuals covered by this contract to determine their own membership status in the Association and agree that there shall be no discrimination against any person covered by this Agreement because of membership or non-membership.
Compensation
Off Schedule Bonus Yr1 — $25.00 bonus for part-time custodians working 20 consecutive 4-hour days
When a part-time custodian works 20 consecutive 4 hour days, as scheduled, he/she earns a $25.00 bonus.
Other
Open House Compensation — Early release time of 1.5 hours on day before Thanksgiving or Winter Break as compensation
In exchange for working 1.5 hours at open house, teachers shall be compensated with early release time of 1.5 hours on the day before Thanksgiving or Winter Break.
Other
Open House Requirement — Teachers required to attend 1.5 hour evening open house within 30 school days of start
All members covered by this bargaining agreement are required to be present at their school's Open House which shall be scheduled by the administration and be held for 1.5 hours during an evening within 30 school days of the start of the school year.
Compensation
Overtime Rate — one and one-half (1.5) times the employee's regular hourly rate
Any employee actually working more than forty (40) hours in a work week or eight hours in a work day, shall be paid at the rate of one and one-half (1.5) times the employee's regular hourly rate for hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours per week or in excess of eight hours per day.
Compensation
Paraprofessional Toileting Feeding Stipend — additional stipend of $600 per school year
A paraprofessional who is regularly assigned the responsibility for providing assistance for toileting and/or feeding a student will receive an additional stipend of $600 per school year.
Compensation
Part Time Custodian Acting Pay Rate — full-time custodian rate for 0-5 years of service
If a part-time custodian is asked to fill in for a full-time custodian, he/she will be paid at the full-time custodian rate for 0-5 years of service for each day worked in that capacity.
Compensation
Payroll Installments — Paychecks distributed biweekly in 26 installments
Certified staff shall receive paychecks in 26 installments.
Leave
Personal Days Annual — Full-time employees: 2 personal business days
Full time employees shall be entitled to two days absence per year for purposes of transacting any personal business which may only be transacted on school time
Other
Personnel File Review — teachers have right to review contents of personnel file per Illinois Personnel Record Review Act
A teacher covered by this Agreement shall have the right to review the contents of his/her personnel file in accordance with the Illinois Personnel Record Review Act.
Workday
Probationary Period Days — one hundred fifty work days
A new employee shall have a probationary period of one hundred fifty (150) work days. Work days for purposes of this Section are defined as days on which an employee actually works.
Retirement
Retirement Pickup Pct — Not specified for IMRF employees
Retirement
Retirement System — IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund) for classified support staff
Upon official retirement under the provisions of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, full-time support staff members, with at least 10 years experience in Worth School District
Rif
Rif Recall Years — Reduction in force notice requirement of 45 days before end of school term
Written notice is to be mailed to the teacher and also given to the teacher either by certified mail, return receipt requested, or personal delivery with receipt at least 45 days before the end of the school term.
Other
Right To Organize — teachers have right to join or not join the Association without discrimination
Teachers shall have the right to join or not to join the Association. Members shall have the right to organize and assist the Association and to participate in professional negotiations with the Board.
Compensation
Salary Lanes Count — Regular Rate Part Time Custodian, Vacation Rate Part Time Custodian, Full Time Custodian
Three compensation categories: Regular Rate Part Time Custodian, Vacation Rate Part Time Custodian, Full Time Custodian
Compensation
Salary Steps Count — 0 to 5 Years, at end of 5 Years, at end of 10 Years, at end of 15 Years, at end of 20 Years, at end of 25 Years
STEP progression for Part Time Secretary and Full Time Secretary from 0 to 5 Years through at end of 25 Years
Other
Seniority List Update Deadline — Updated seniority list provided by February 1 of each school year
Seniority list provided to teachers should reflect the date of employment, which shall be defined as the earlier of: first date of actual full-time work or the date of the Board's hiring as a full-time employee.
Leave
Sick Days Annual — three days per year for Association leave
WEST shall be allowed three days per year for Association leave subject to the following provisions: 1. Use of this leave by members of WEST shall be determined by the WEST executive board and certified by the Association president.