Board, teacher union approve four-year contract

by Bob McParland, Community District #218.

The Board of Education of Community High School District 218 approved a new teacher contract on Monday, July 14 at its regular meeting. IEA Local 218, the teacher's union for the district, also has approved the new contract, which extends through the 2011-2012 school year.

While the new contract enables District 218 to compete favorably with neighboring school systems for new staff, terms of the agreement also insure its long-term financial future.

The contract includes greater employee contributions for health benefits. In addition, retirees now will participate in state-sponsored health insurance rather than the district's health plan.

“I think everyone entered negotiations with a similar understanding of health care expenses. Whether you work in private enterprise or for the government, you face increasing costs for medical insurance. We needed to find a middle ground where our employees received fair coverage and the district secured its economic future so we can continue to offer an education that fulfills the needs of our students,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Byrne.

In the past two years, the district completed a capital improvement project $2 million under budget and switched its health care provider for another $1.8 million in annual savings.