By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – There’s labor peace between Unit 5 and its teachers union, as the school board Wednesday night ratified a two year contract well before the start of the next school year.

Superintendent Mark Daniel said a national teachers shortage required the district to boost salaries to compete for entry-level instructors.

Base pay will rise to $37,000 the first year, from the current starting salary of $34,614. That will increase to $37,600 the second year. Daniel said the district would like to do more, but can’t because of budget constraints.

“As we sat at the table and negotiated, I would say it was one of the most amicable scenarios I’ve ever been a part of, and I think that was because we were very like-minded and we knew we had a common goal,” said Daniel.

Unit 5 Teachers Association President Lindsey Dickenson said the bargaining was among the easiest since she became part of the negotiating team for the 926 union teachers.

“It definitely was amicable,” said Dickenson.

“I think that we put all of our interests right out front. We were very open and honest with both sides,” she said.

Dickenson noted District 87’s base pay is still about a thousand dollars more than what’s offered at Unit 5.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]