Geneva Teachers Secure 3-Year Contract With Salary, Benefit Increases

GENEVA, IL — Geneva Community Unit School District 304 teachers have secured a new three-year contract set to take effect in the fall.

The contract, approved by both the Board of Education and the Geneva Education Association, was ratified at the Board's regular meeting Monday night. The groups reached the agreement through interest-based bargaining with the objective, district officials said, to "reach a fair and sustainable agreement that keeps in mind the best interests of the students, staff, school district, and community."

The contract reflects an estimated $3.9 million in compensation increases over the next three years, as well as roughly $970,000 in projected benefits, according to the district. In total, the contract package is estimated to be about $4.89 million.

The contract, which is posted on the district's website, also outlines a plan to address several issues, including student services workload and class size, beginning in the 2023-24 school year. The district is aspiring to maintain a 25-1 student-to-teacher ratio and limit an overload teaching assignment to a single teaching section no longer than one year in length.

"I am excited both about the resulting contract but also the collaborative and cooperative way both sides engaged in negotiating this agreement," Geneva School Board President Mike McCormick said in a statement.

The bargaining process began last fall when the district brought in a facilitator to begin negotiations, according to Adam Law, assistant superintendent of human resources.

The two groups found middle ground on all issues in less than 10 three-hour sessions. One six-hour session was required to discuss "economic issues, involving the most difficult discussions."

"The facilitator kept all the parties in the room to the greatest extent possible," Law said. "There was very little caucusing. Instead, we had genuinely productive discussions to find win-win solutions to issues."

GEA President Jordan Zimberoff echoed his sentiments, saying, "Overall, I think if both sides are willing to participate with open minds and honest, realistic solutions, the process is an excellent option to use."