A joint message between the DGEEA and District 58
The Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Board of Education approved a new four-year collective bargaining agreement with the Downers Grove Elementary Education Association (DGEEA) at its regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 17 following several months of negotiation sessions. The current collective bargaining agreement expired on Aug. 21, 2018, and teachers agreed to begin the school year without a contract.
The Board of Education approved the contract 7-0. On Sept. 10, the teachers’ union ratified the contract, with a large majority of members voting in favor of it. The new contract increases the base salary for teachers by 7 percent over four years, with additional raises realized by some teachers based upon their advancement on the salary schedule (commonly called “step” increases), which average 3.9 percent annually.
“This new contract encompasses the collaborative spirit of our valued educators and our administrative team to do what is best to improve student learning while maintaining the fiscal responsibility the community has come to expect from District 58,“ said Board President Doug Purcell.
District administration and the DGEEA believe the agreement was reached due to many hours of hard work and a candid exchange of information and concerns. All parties showed mutual respect for the pressing issues facing each constituency and a willingness to compromise to reach a fair settlement that recognizes the importance of teachers and their continued commitment to students, while understanding the importance of a contract that ensures long-term financial stability.
“The negotiations teams from both sides worked creatively and collaboratively to jointly develop a contract that values our fantastic teachers and their significant contributions to District 58’s pursuit of excellence, while also remaining fiscally responsible within our budget constraints,” said Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli. “Throughout the process, the negotiations teams worked hard to produce a fair contract that will continue to retain and attract high-quality teachers to serve District 58 students. I am very pleased with the final product!”
Highlights of the new contract include:
- Increases to planning time that include time for teachers to collaborate around student learning and implementation of new District curricula.
- Increased teacher professional leave time to attend conferences. Additional increases to leave time include family leave for mothers, fathers and adopting parents, and a sick leave bank for teachers experiencing long-term illnesses.
- A shift in health insurance costs where a greater percentage of the premiums will be paid by teachers while maintaining the high level of benefits. Additionally, a new District Health and Wellness Committee will be created to review and monitor the current status of the District’s health insurance coverage and examine possible cost containment options.
- The total District 58 budget increase of the teachers contract over the four years is estimated at 10.1 percent or on average 2.5 percent per year. This accounts for both salary and benefit costs for the bargaining group.
Rising health care costs remain a concern for the District and DGEEA. As a result, having necessary cost containment provisions were a priority for both teams. A new contract provision was negotiated to enable reopening the specific article for health insurance should there be a significant economic impact that results in health insurance premiums increasing more than 10 percent. The goal of this provision is to reduce the impact of the increase on the Board as well as the teachers.
DGEEA Negotiations Chair and Teacher Mark White thanked Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Dr. Jayne Yudzentis and fellow negotiating team members for how the negotiations were conducted.
“The negotiations process was long and at times difficult, but it was conducted with respect and professionalism,” White stated. “Everyone at the bargaining table agreed that keeping what’s best for students at the center of our meetings was most important.”
“I am pleased that we have come to this agreement,” Dr. Yudzentis said. “It once again shows our ability to work collaboratively as a District to meet the needs of all of our stakeholders.”
The contract between District 58 and the DGEEA includes more than 380 certified staff members, including teachers and other educational specialists.