Naperville District 203 Approves 3-Year Teacher Contract

Naperville School District 203 Board of Education unanimously approved a new teachers' union contract Wednesday. 

The contract sets teachers’ wages for the next three years and has an average cost to taxpayers of "less than 2 percent annually," according to the district.

“The teachers have embraced this idea and supported it throughout the process," Superintendent Dan Bridges said in a statement. "These negotiations have been another strong reminder of the long-term commitment our educators have made to provide the best opportunities for learning for all students."

Teachers will receive a 2.35 percent raise in the coming fiscal year, which starts July 1. The following two years will bring an increase of 1.14 percent and 1.4 percent.

Naperville Unit Education Association President Mark Bailey said the agreement benefits both students and educators. 

“In these changing times with new educational initiatives, it is critical to keep an eye on the future and work toward continual improvement for the benefit of the students of District 203,” Bailey said in a statement. “The real benefit of this agreement is it allows educators to be creative in how they reach their full potential and career aspirations as professionals while providing the highest quality of education for our students.”

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On May 14, the terms of a proposed contract agreement were presented to the roughly 1,350 NUEA members and the tentative agreement was ratified two days later by a vote of 89 percent, according to the district.

Key terms of the new agreement:

• Local Retirement Enhancement for retiring teacher will end in two-years.
• No District subsidy of employee portion for Early Retirement Option (ERO). 
• In year one (2013-14), the base salary increase is 2.35% or 78% of 2011 CPI.
• In year two (2014-15), the base will be 1.14% or 67% of 2012 CPI, and year three will be 67% of 2013 CPI.
• Career 203 program implemented; current step system will sunset after step six for Bachelor’s level educators and no new members will enter the step system.

District administrators and educators have been working on the Career 203 program for three years. Board member Jackie Romberg said in a release that the program could serve as a "positive model for other districts in the future."

“Three years ago we set out to create a framework for a new model for compensation that recognized professional growth and further increases our ability to meet the needs of all students.  As a Board, we have seen the progress made toward this goal, and with this contract I believe we have entered a new era,” Romberg said in a release.

The approved contract becomes effective with the 2013-2014 school year, according to the district.