Dear District 146 Community,

On Tuesday, the Board of Education extended new offers to the Teachers Union. The offer included raises of 6%, 6%, and 6% over the next three years, up from the previous offer of 6%, 6%, and 5%, or making the retirement incentive a benefit for all.

After we informed the staff and community yesterday that a new offer was made, the Union countered with proposed 7%, 7%, and 7% raises over the next three years, showing no salary movement from their last offer. The Union also included expanding the retirement benefit with a 10-year eligibility window.

Today, the Board sent an offer of 6%, 6%, and 6% raises over the next three years, along with essentially the same retirement terms offered by the Union yesterday. 6% is the maximum the District can offer without incurring TRS penalties. By avoiding TRS penalties, taxpayer money goes directly to students, teachers, and schools rather than to TRS. 6% is also higher than the raises shown in the Board’s or Union’s lists of comparable districts.

In addition to the latest offer, the Board has already made several concessions. Throughout the negotiation process, the Board has offered: 14 sick days (previously 12), three bereavement days per occurrence (previously two per year), $2,000 annually in lieu of medical insurance, life insurance equal to the teacher’s annual salary (previously capped at $20,000), and a $100 per sick day buyback at retirement (previously $50).

Again, we will continue to keep you updated as the negotiations continue.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jeff Stawick

Superintendent