Elmhurst, IL – The Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board of Education approved a new three-year contract for more than 715 members of the Elmhurst Teachers Council (ETC). The contract addresses not only compensation but also professional conditions that support learning and teaching at all levels of the organization.
Reflecting a collaborative effort between district leadership and the ETC, the new contract outlines salary schedule increases of 3.4 percent, 3.0 percent, and 2.9 percent over the three years, ensuring that Elmhurst 205 remains competitive in attracting and retaining top-tier educators. Prior to approval by the Board of Education, the contract was ratified by the ETC membership following negotiations that commenced this past winter.
“This collaborative agreement ensures that Elmhurst 205 will remain competitive in attracting, and retaining, highly qualified and dedicated educators who play such an important role in the lives of our students throughout their journey,” said Dr. Keisha Campbell, Superintendent of Schools. “It also demonstrates our commitment to providing teachers with the tools necessary to continue their work in elevating Student Success and the Learning Environment in alignment with the Student Journey of Excellence Framework.”
Beyond salary adjustments, the contract introduces enhancements to established committees, streamlines procedural aspects of academics and school operations, and expands student opportunity in extracurricular activities. Recognizing the critical role of special education teachers, the agreement acknowledges and supports the case management responsibilities associated with these positions.
“This contract will have far-reaching positive effects for our district, boosting the community's ability to both recruit and retain high quality educators,” said Dan Hall, ETC President. “As a result, learning will be enhanced for the more than 8,500 students served by Elmhurst School District 205.”
The new three-year agreement will take effect starting July 2024 and conclude in June 2027, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between Elmhurst 205 and its dedicated teaching professionals.
“This contract is a good example of the quality leadership living throughout our district," shared Athena Arvanitis, President of the Board of Education. "The School Board, working in partnership with the superintendent and administration, collaborated with the Elmhurst Teachers Council to develop a contract that represents the priorities and interests of both parties while focusing on what is needed to meet the district's long term goals outlined by our Strategic Plan which include student growth, strong financial stewardship, and maintaining and attracting high quality staff. Thank you to those leaders, both administrative and representative of the teachers council, whose efforts led to this outcome.”
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