Teutopolis Education Association, Board of Education Ratify New Contract

The Teutopolis Education Association and the Teutopolis Board of Education have ratified a new contract for the district's teachers.

The two-year agreement was reached after a year of difficult bargaining. In the end, a settlement was reached that includes the teachers receiving a salary increase based on their step increase on the existing salary schedule for year one, the 2013-14 school year, and a hard freeze on salaries for year two, the 2014-15 school year.

"This contract will help achieve one of the Board's goals . . . to control salary costs in the short term in the face of unprecedented cuts in General State Aid and other funding from the State of Illinois," said Board President Marty Siemer.

There also will be no increase in extra-duty stipends or insurance benefits for either year of the contract. Additionally, the amount of district money allocated to tuition reimbursement was dropped from $12,000 to $10,000 yearly.

According to TEA Co-President Karen Smith, "We are glad it is over and ready to finish the school year on a positive note."

Now that the collective bargaining has ended, the Board of Education and TEA wish to put the focus back on the district's students.

Unit #50 Superintendent Bill Fritcher stated, "We have a strong educational system in Unit #50, and we believe it is time to move forward in our district and put our emphasis back on the excellent education we provide to students."