Schools

New Valley View Teachers Contract Includes Salary Increase, Higher Insurance Premiums

After operating almost a year on an expired contract, the Valley View teachers union finally passed a new contract last week.

The contract finally passed by the Valley View teachers union last week includes a 2 percent salary increase and higher insurance premiums, according to the Bolingbrook Bugle

Teachers have seen a 5 percent increase in salaries each year for the past five years. 

“We have extreme respect for our teachers and as a district we have been competitive with salary with surrounding districts—when times are good we are happy to share, but times now are not so good and we have to tighten our belts,” Steven Quigley, president of the Valley View School District 365U school board, told the Bugle.

Under the new contract, teachers will receive a $1,200 stipend. But all teachers will now have to pay annual insurance premiums: $360 for single coverage and $600 for families. Previously, teachers who had spent more than five years in the district did not have to pay premiums. 

The contract is a three-year contract retroactive to last July 1 and expiring at the end of 2014-15. The board of education will vote on the contract on Tuesday, May 27, at its next scheduled meeting date.

The teachers union approved the contract 55 percent to 45 percent, according to former Valley View school board member Jim Curran. The vote total was 846-693, according to Gougis. 

The union overwhelmingly voted down the first proposed contract in September based on salary, higher insurance premiums and changes to the daily schedule, according to the Bugle.

Of the 1,800 certified and classified members, 92 percent rejected the contract.  The union and district had since resorted to mediation, according to the Bugle.

Attempts to reach Vicki Sutterlin, president of the teachers union, were unsuccessful. 


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