Mendota High Board Approves New Contract for Teachers’ Union

The Mendota Township High School District 280 Board of Education has approved a new three-year contract with the Mendota Education Association (MEA), bringing an end to months of negotiations. The board made this decision on October 1, 2023, following the MEA’s ratification of the agreement on the same day.

Negotiations between the two parties reached a resolution on September 23, 2023, after engaging with a federal mediator. The official signing of the contract is scheduled for the board’s regular meeting on October 20 and will be made available on the school’s website.

Details of the Agreement

Board President Jim Lauer emphasized that the agreement reflects a shared commitment to the students of Mendota High School and the teachers who serve them. He noted that the contract acknowledges the hard work of educators while also ensuring fiscal responsibility to the community.

The MEA President Matthew Meyer described the contract as “fair and favorable,” highlighting the importance of collaboration between educators and the district.

The new contract covers approximately 40 teachers and includes annual base salary increases of 6% in the first year, 5% in the second year, and 4% in the third year. An additional step has been added to all nine educational lanes, resulting in total raises ranging from 17.36% to 28.72% over the life of the contract.

Additional Compensation and Benefits

The agreement also addresses compensation for additional duties, including roles such as event workers, internal substitutes, department chairs, and members of the school improvement team. Furthermore, extra-curricular sponsors and coaches will receive increased stipends, with new positions added to the compensation structure.

Mendota Township High School District 280 serves roughly 505 students across Bureau, La Salle, and Lee counties, illustrating the district’s commitment to enhancing educational quality and support for its teaching staff. The new contract aims to strengthen the collaboration between the educators and the administration while ensuring that the needs of students are prioritized.