By Neil Doyle

FARMER CITY – Blue Ridge School District Superintendent Susan Wilson said the district wants to reach a three-year contract agreement with teachers and other employees who could strike in the next few weeks.

Wilson said the district is requesting a three-year deal, with a 2.5 percent raise in the first year, and a 2 percent increase in the next two years. The Blue Ridge Federation of Teachers is requesting a one-year deal with a 4.5 percent raise.

Wilson said the district’s proposed percentage increases are in addition to the yearly step increase, which she said averages around 3 percent per year for eligible Blue Ridge employees.

The two sides have supposedly come to tentative agreements on sick-leave, increasing from 14 to as many as 21 days, expanding the use of personal leave, and the district would boost tuition reimbursement for teachers furthering their education from $300 to $800 per year.

Last week, the school board said it would post offers from both sides Oct. 7, two days before negotiators meet for a third session with a federal mediator.

Federation President Don Anton said the union is open to a multi-year contract, if there’s an agreement on other issues.  The union, which represents about 110 employees, said the soonest a walkout can happen is Oct. 21.

Blue Ridge District 18 runs three schools serving Farmer City, Mansfield, and Bellflower.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]