Hammond teachers have ratified a contract that doesn’t provide a raise while teachers dig deeper to cover health insurance premiums. The pact, ratified by teachers Wednesday, is retroactive to July 1.
The ratification vote ends months of conflict as the troubled district struggles to reel in costs under a state cost containment directive to reduce its budget deficit.
The school board voted recently to close three elementary schools, triggering more than 170 employee layoffs.
The district and teachers have struggled since November, when an impasse was declared, to reach a settlement. The district cited skyrocketing health insurance costs that tacked on an additional $5 million in the 2023-24 school year when teachers’ contributions were capped.
A district spokeswoman said the contract reflects an increased contribution to a single teacher’s health insurance plan from $7,470 to $9,120 and from $21,199 to $27,280 for the family plan. However, one teacher, for example, said her contribution more than doubled.
Since no raise was included, the base pay for a starting teacher remains at $49,000. Teachers with an emergency license will earn $47,000.
In addition, new language says if a substitute teacher isn’t provided then students are redistributed to other classrooms and those teachers shall receive $60 for a half day. They would get $90 for a full day or any amount above a half day regardless of the number of students or classes placed in the teacher’s classroom. A teacher will no longer be able to “stack” classes and be paid $90 per class per day.
How best to hire substitute teachers was a sticking point between the union and administrators as the district signed a $3 million contract to have Kelly Services provide substitutes through June 30. Though the district said the contract provided a 94% fill rate for classrooms, teachers and parents complained that they were unreliable, unprofessional, and showed up smelling like marijuana smoke, according to public comments at a January school board meeting.
“I am very pleased to share that after many months of hard work, the School City of Hammond and the Hammond Teachers’ Federation have reached an agreement. I want to acknowledge that despite the concessions that were necessary on both sides, as well as the cost containment considerations, our school community came together and worked hard to ensure a fair contract,” said Superintendent Scott Miller in a statement.
The school board still needs to ratify the contract.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Michelle L. Quinn contributed.