Two Illinois school districts make progress on teacher contracts

10:39 PM, Aug 27, 2012   |    comments
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By Elizabeth Matthews

Edwardsville, IL (KSDK) - There are new developments regarding teacher contract talks in two Illinois school districts.

The Edwardsville School District ratified a new contract with teachers Monday night.

The two sides reached a tentative agreement last week on a two year deal that freezes base salaries. Teachers will get a two percent salary during the 2013-14 school year that will be based on seniority or achieving higher levels of certification.

Class sizes will increase by a few students from kindergarten through the fifth grade. Middle School classes can now have up to 32 students in a class, and high school classes can now have up to 34 students.

The teachers' approval last week averted a potential strike that could have disrupted classes.

Also, the teachers union in Cahokia, Illinois agreed to a tentative contract Monday night, but the drama may still not be over. The Cahokia School Board still has to vote on the new contract in a meeting Tuesday night.

The district is facing financial issues this year, meaning the district must cut $3 million in order to balance the budget.

The start date for kids and teachers in Cahokia has already been pushed back by two weeks because of the negotiations.

 

KSDK