Orland Park High School District 230 reached a contract agreement with its teacher’s union after more than nine months of negotiations that included federal mediation.
The contract will increase district costs 19.5% over three years, according to a statement from District 230. It includes higher pay for teachers who also lead co-curricular activities.
The school board approved the agreement Tuesday. The District 230 Teachers Association flooded a board meeting toward the beginning of the school year to protest working without an updated contract.
“This agreement is a financial investment in our teachers, one that will impact students now and into the future without requiring additional effort on the part of local taxpayers,” board President Lynn Zeder said in the district’s statement. “This contract underscores the board’s dedication to our educators and our collective goal of inspiring and empowering all Eagles, Chargers, and T-Bolts.”
Those mascots represent the district’s three schools, Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Sandburg High School in Orland Park and Stagg High School in Palos Hills.
Annual salary increases “to ensure District 230 remains competitive in the south suburbs and beyond,” additional retirement benefits, and higher co-curricular stipends are all included, the district said. The district also committed to tuition reimbursement for existing employees with professional educator licenses to help the administration fill positions and to provide years of experience to those hard-to-fill positions.
“This contract will help District 230 attract and retain excellent educators,” the district said. “Remaining competitive is essential and the increases fall within the average of other similar districts across the Chicagoland area and southwest suburbs.”
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