The Community High School District 155 board has voted to approve a support staff contract after two years of negotiations, which required the intervention of a federal mediator on at least three occasions.
Key issues in the contract included a consistent salary schedule with consistent annual raises, consistent job descriptions and the support staff’s input on administrative decisions that affect their jobs.
“The support staff have not had any say in what affected their workday,” said Pat Gonder, a secretary from Carey Grove High School.
The contract is the first one the district has negotiated with the Community High School Education Support Staff Association, part of the Illinois Education Association and National Education Association.
“It’s been a long process,” said Mike Mills, assistant superintendent of District 155. “We’ve clarified some guidelines. As we become a larger organization, we needed to bring some consistency to all the buildings.”
