D228 Teachers Set with New Contract
Negotiations began in March of this year and dragged until early August, but the JFA and Bremen School District 228 contract was approved by the Board of Education Sept. 18. The three-year contract goes into effect immediately.
It's finally official: the Joint Faculty Association and Bremen School District 228 locked in a three-year contract agreement that was approved by the Board of Education Tuesday, Sept. 18.
The three-year contract calls for a pay freeze for all teachers during the first year of the contract, while allowing incremental 'steps' in years two and three. The contract also ups the teachers' contribution to healthcare.
Superintendent Bill Kendall praised both the JFA and the district during the meeting.
“I'd like to acknowledge the respectful and cohesive efforts in settling the contract of both the JFA negotiating team, led by Melanie Gengo and Kathleen McNeely, and on behalf of the board of education district administrators, Tom O'Malley and Dan Goggins,” Kendall said.
He continued by stating that judging by the landscape of other districts in the State, District 228 was now in a good position.
“Many districts are facing the same difficult negotiations during these very stressful times,” he said. “I'm proud to say that the JFA and the Board of Education have weathered the difficult negotiations and never made any decision at the expense of our students.”
Kendall concluded by stating that the contract is fiscally responsible and has the best interests of the taxpayers, students, faculty and community at heart.
The vote was unanimous with board members present, with board member John Kirkton absent. The contract will be posted on the district's website in the near future.
TaxPayer
12:43 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
So Jeff Graveline when will you post Kendall's new contract online? It's only the fair thing to do.
Jeff Graveline
12:54 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Taxpayer, I'm working on securing the administration's salaries and contract. I have already posted Mr. Kendall's salary for the current year and last year in previous articles—which you've already commented on.
- Jeff
TaxPayer
12:43 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Jeff why do you even bother to respond if your not going to answer my request? What does Kendall's new contract state in regards to his personal economic gain. Illinois law already covers the fact that he admin has to post their salaries but posting the increase in percentages is what catches the public's' eye. Kendall's contract is months old already.
Lauren Traut
1:06 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012
TaxPayer,
We are working on getting you the information. I'm going to ask (once again) that you be patient. We're NOT keeping anything from you, we're NOT hiding anything from you. When we have the information, you will see it on the site.
Lauren
Jeff Graveline
10:56 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
Taxpayer,
I've seen Dr. Kendall's contract, the entire document. Here's a link to the story about it: http://patch.com/A-xZWL. There's been NO increase in salary from last year to this year, the dollar amounts are exactly the same. Thanks for the comments.
- Jeff
TaxPayer
11:16 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
FOIA requests take five days unless they deny the request. His contract is a couple of months old already, so pardon me if I don't understand.
Tired of the B.S.
11:29 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
@TaxPayer,
You do know that you are allowed to get this information yourself, right?
File your own FOIA request if you are so curious and then you won't have to blame The Patch for hiding something that they are not.
TaxPayer
11:18 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
The public needs to see this contract with all it's details. He is a public employee conducting the public's business. He has no right to expect privacy in this matter, same as every other public employee. It's not about anyone person, it's about public involvement and public info.
taxpayer2
2:17 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012
The teachers actually took a pay cut the first year and a pay freeze the next two years if you take into account that they have to pay more for insurance. The Administration gets their insurance paid for! So will the Administration take a pay cut and then two pay freezes? I think not!
No OF Spin
5:57 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012
W
No OF Spin
5:59 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012
Taxpayer, get off your high horse and go do a FOIA yourself. The Patch isn't obligated to do your political dirty work. You want it bad enough, go get it.
TaxPayer
11:54 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012
Please see: http://oakforest.patch.com/articles/a-day-in-the-superintendent-s-shoes