Teutopolis Board, Teachers Amend Contract

Teutopolis Community Unit School District #50 has officially amended its contract with the Teutopolis Education Association. The Board of Education voted unanimously at their meeting on Tuesday, October 10 to approve a Memorandum of Understanding to amend the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The amendment increases the minimum number of hours paid for a regular route bus driver. Additionally, the Board of Education approved a $500 signing bonus, payable after six months of employment, for any new full-time or part-time regular route or special education/alternative education route bus driver. The voluntary amendment to the current agreement extending through the 2023-24 academic year and the signing bonus were mutually agreed to by the Teutopolis Education Association.

"Teutopolis students have access to a talented and dedicated team of teachers and staff. This amendment, and the signing bonus for new bus drivers, helps to recognize the commitment and efforts of our Wooden Shoe workforce, and will ensure that the District is able to recruit, hire and maintain the highest quality staff going forward,” said Superintendent Matt Sturgeon. These efforts are in addition to a prior contract amendment that resulted in Teachers receiving an extra $1,000 and Support Personnel an extra $2.00 per hour for services rendered in the 2023-24 academic year.

On the eve of National School Bus Safety Week, which runs October 16-20, Sturgeon said, “School buses are one of the safest ways for children to get to and from school, extracurricular and sporting events. Our dedicated drivers are the first employees of the district to interact with students in the morning and the last of the afternoon. The role is vitally important to our success as a district and these positive experiences help to solidify our positive Wooden Shoe culture.”

TEA Co-Presidents Jeannie Gaddis, Wendy Kreke and Crystal Tipton commented, "We are grateful to the Teutopolis Board of Education, the administrative team, and our association membership for continuing to work collaboratively to support our students and schools.”

Sturgeon indicated that Teutopolis is seeking candidates for full-time and part-time routes, substitute drivers, and a Transportation Director and/or Mechanic. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the District to learn more about becoming a Wooden Shoe.