Catherwood LibraryILR School

In a school district just North of Chicago a four-year contract has been settled with about 730 current employees. Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 and its union have agreed to freeze starting salaries for teachers, creating what the district?s assistant superintendent, Daniel Schuler, called a ?two tier? system. The Education Association points out that after a teacher?s first year, their salary may begin receiving the same pay raises that other teachers earn depending on the education level of the new teacher and other factors. In addition to reducing the cost of first year teachers, the contract reduces the incentive for teachers to obtain additional credentials and increases new, but not existing, employee contributions for health insurance costs. The contract was passed unanimously by the board of education and with 94% approval by the union members.