Negotiations Update: An Important Message from the Board of Education

Oct. 24, 2018

Following is an update on the status of negotiations between the Geneva 304 Board of Education and the Geneva Education Association (GEA). Last night, we met for three hours under the guidance of an independent mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

THE BOARD’S CURRENT OFFER

Prior to last night’s session, as previously communicated, the Board presented GEA a proposal that increased its salary offer from $1,800 to $2,050 annually or $6,150 for every teacher over the course of a three-year contract. Additionally, this proposal includes starting teacher salaries above what the GEA last proposed. The Board also offered an increase of 3% for each level of educational attainment for teachers earning post-graduate credit hours or degrees. 
 
THE GEA’S CURRENT OFFER

In response, the union presented a proposal that lowered their requested annual salary increase by one-quarter percent to 5.75% for the first two years of the contract, remaining at 6% for the third-year. They maintained their request for an increase of 5% for educational attainment. The GEA has continued to request that the Board increase its contribution in health care benefits from 95% to 100% for single coverage and from 60% to 65%-75% for family/dependent coverage over the life of the contract. The union continued to request a salary schedule similar to the structure which both parties had agreed to eliminate as part of the last contract agreement.

MOVING FORWARD — LET’S KEEP TALKING

The Board is committed to working to achieve a fair and fiscally responsible multi-year contract agreement that is in the best interest of all District 304 stakeholders — including our students, their families, teachers and staff, and community. We continue to support the mediation process — our next session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30. 

Please continue to show your support of District 304 schools and students by continuing to call upon both the Board and the GEA to keep talking and to work in good faith to achieve a contract agreement without disruption to our schools, students and families.



Sincerely,

Geneva CUSD 304 Board of Education