5-Year Agreement Reached Between D308, Oswego Education Association

OSWEGO, IL — The Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Board of Education and Oswego Education Association approved a new 5-year agreement that includes annual raises.

As part of the contract, District 308 staff will see annual base salary increases over the next five years: 4.2 percent in the first, 3.8 percent in the second, 2.65 percent in the third, and 2.75 percent in the fourth and fifth years, officials said. The agreement is retroactively dated to July 1, 2023.

"The length of this agreement is a testament to the collaboration between the OEA and leaders from the District," Bryan Zwemke, executive director of resources, said in a statement. "We successfully negotiated a fair and equitable contract that reflects our core values."

The Board of Education accepted the agreement at their Nov. 6 meeting, with one Board member abstaining and one absent.

Of the Oswego Education Association's more than 1,300 employees, 92 percent voted in favor of the agreement, according to a news release from Theresa Komitas, the district's executive director of communications and public relations. The association ratified the proposed contract Nov. 1.

"Throughout the negotiation process, both organizations focused on safeguarding the fiscal stability of the district, ensuring quality educational programs and attracting and retaining a diverse and talented teaching staff," Superintendent Andalib Khelghati said in a statement. "While comparing the salary and benefits offered by other area districts, the discussions were centered around recognizing the performance of our highly dedicated and professional staff."