OPRF teachers ratify new contract with limited pay raises

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Updated: February 22, 2012 12:17PM

Oak Park-River Forest High School teachers agreed to a new two-year employment contract on Monday afternoon that includes no pay increase next year.

The District 200 School Board is scheduled to vote on the contract at its special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening in second floor board room.

The $55.25 million deal, which features both “hard” and “soft” pay freezes, is estimated to save the school district $2.7 million over the next two years.

There will be no pay increase for the 2012-13 school year.

In 2013-14, teachers salaries will not increase above the 2011-12 salary schedule, though they will be eligible for step and lane increases.

The $2.7 million in savings reflects a hike in the school district’s 403(b) pension matching share, which will go from 2.25 percent to 4 percent. If fully utilized, that will mean an extra $330,000 in district retirement expenditures.

While not commenting on the expected result of Tuesday’s board discussion and vote, District 200 Board President Dee Millard said the agreement “ensures the continuation of the good efforts already under way to positively impact the culture and climate of our schools.”

See the Feb. 2 Oak Leaves and Forest Leaves for more details.