Teutopolis School Board Ratifies Teacher Contract

Teutopolis school board members Monday ratified a three-year contract agreement with the Teutopolis Education Association, which includes teachers and support staff members. 

The contract begins with the start of school in August and extends through the 2023-2024 academic year.

TEA members ratified the contract the week prior.

Teutopolis Superintendent Matt Sturgeon said, "Throughout the negotiation process, both sides approached the table with professionalism and cooperation. This agreement, and the process to get here, is but another example of Wooden Shoes coming together for a common purpose and passion, our children and our schools."

Teachers will receive an average pay increase of 3% while support personnel will average slightly more during the same three year period, at 4%. The difference in average increases is due to the district's need to maintain compliance with Illinois’ minimum teacher salary and minimum wage, which are gradually increasing through 2023-24 and January 1, 2025 respectively.

The agreement also includes increases of Board contributions to staff member medical insurance, tuition reimbursements, dual credit instructor stipends, and athletic coach and non-athletic sponsorship stipends. "These modest increases will allow us to continue to attract the best and brightest staff members to the district, and to maintain our talented and dedicated team," said Sturgeon..

TEA Co-Presidents Mary Bushue, Vicky Simmons and Jenna Funneman commented, "We are proud of what our association members, administrative team and Board of Education were able to accomplish this past year and are excited to return for our students later this fall". Association leadership also thanked the Board members and their association team for their respective efforts in what was termed "a productive collective bargaining cycle".