MOUNDS, IL — Meridian teachers and staff are calling on the Meridian Community Unit School District 101 (CUSD 101) Board of Education to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract that supports the long-term success of students, staff and the Mounds community.
Illinois and the nation are grappling with an ongoing teacher and education staff shortage. Meanwhile, CUSD 101 continues to struggle to attract and retain licensed educators, with nearly 15 teaching positions filled by temporary, non-licensed personnel. Salaries for educators in the district rank below 34 surrounding school districts in Southern Illinois. Low wages, school closures caused by unsafe building conditions and frequent changes in leadership all contribute to the hiring crisis.
“For years, we have sacrificed to support the children of Mounds and its surrounding areas. We remain committed to the students and families we serve,” Meridian Education Association (MEA) President Janice Couch said.
MEA represents all of the dedicated teachers, custodians, cooks and secretaries of CUSD 101, who serve the more than 400 students who attend school in the district.
CUSD 101 teachers and staff have been working without a contract since the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. Negotiations are now stalled, after the board unilaterally issued its last, best and final offer effectively ending negotiations and clearly signaling an unwillingness to reach a compromise on a new contract.
The district has also triggered the public posting process, which means the MEA and the District 101 Board of Education will have to submit their last offers to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board for public posting. Contract negotiations began in April 2024.
“We have to work together if we’re going to find a solution. What we’re asking for is reasonable, affordable and will help us be competitive with our neighboring districts,” said Couch. “We have to be able to keep the excellent, experienced educators we have in this district as well as bring in new talent. Our students deserve the best, and if we continue to be unable to fill positions, our students’ education will suffer.”
The MEA is urging the CUSD 100 Board of Education to return to the bargaining table immediately and work toward a contract that honors the work of its employees and meets the needs of its students.
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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.
