Teachers Contract Settled
by Mary Fasbender
August 27, 2008
Press Release
At a special meeting last evening, the Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a three-year contract with the Prairie Grove Teachers Association. The PGTA ratified the contract yesterday afternoon. The prior agreement expired August 23, 2008. Both groups have been working towards this agreement since early this spring.
“This settlement is a win-win for both sides,” said School Superintendent, Dr. Mary Fasbender who chaired the Board’s Negotiations Team. “It recognizes the District’s financial situation while keeping the District wages comparable with other surrounding districts.”
Under the agreement, total salary compensation will increase by 3.25% in the first year and 3.42% in the second year. Increases in the third year align with the tax cap. Salary increases will be computed after taking into account the Consumer Price Index and a percentage of tax revenues generated by new construction, while still allowing the District to maintain the Taxpayer Partnership Plan and their fund balances. The settlement includes provisions to increase the Board’s contribution toward the teachers’ health insurance and to better define a teacher’s leave options. Also included is new language for retirement necessitated by changes in Illinois State Law.
A PGTA spokesperson said, “We put a lot of time and energy into this agreement and we think the end result is fair to the taxpayers and to the teachers.”
“We are gratified that throughout these negotiations the PGTA has demonstrated that they are partners in our efforts to improve student performance while remaining fiscally responsible,” said Superintendent Fasbender.
