CRYSTAL LAKE – The Crystal Lake Elementary Teachers’ Association (CLETA) ratified a new contract with Crystal Lake Community Consolidated School District 47 School Board that will help address inequities and student safety.
“This is definitely a step in the right direction. When surveyed, a majority of our teachers said they have considered leaving the district. They were citing low pay, expensive family insurance costs and a lack of support regarding safety for students and staff,” CLETA President Jenny Sanchez said. “This new contract addresses a lot of our concerns, but we also recognize there is still more work to be done to truly make Crystal Lake a destination district for educators.”
The new contract that has been ratified by both CLETA and the District 47 School Board, makes several changes including:
- Plan time: The new contract provides equal plan time for the majority of District 47 educator positions, so that teachers and licensed staff have enough time to properly prepare lessons, communicate with parents, collaborate with colleagues and grade assignments, among other things.
- Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) contributions: Once a teacher has worked with D47 after 10 years, to honor longevity, the district will pay 1% of the teacher’s TRS contribution. After 21 years of service, the district will cover 3% of their TRS contribution.
- Equitable pay for clinicians: District 47 clinicians will be placed on the salary schedule, honoring their education and making the positions competitive with surrounding districts.
- Health insurance: More affordable health insurance will be provided for educators with families.
- Safety language: CLETA successfully advocated for improved safety policies and protocols to ensure safe schools for all.
CLETA had been bargaining with the District 47 BOE since October 2023 in the hopes of reaching a fair contract. The two teams entered federal mediation in June. CLETA declared impasse in September, triggering the public posting process. There are 670 educators in the CLETA bargaining unit serving the more than 7,000 students who attend District 47 schools.
“Our union is stronger than ever before, and CLETA is going to continue advocating for
our educators, schools and families. We love our students and know that strong schools are the foundation of strong communities.” Sanchez said. “We are so grateful for the tremendous amount of support and love from our students, families and our community. We couldn’t have done this without their help.”
CLETA is continuing to pursue an unfair labor practice (ULP) with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) that was filed against District 47 in September. The ULP cites the district’s illegal use of outside staffing agencies to fill bargaining unit positions in the district. So far, the district has spent more than $1.8 million taxpayer dollars on these firms. More information about the ULP can be found here.
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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.
