Contract talks start this spring in District 300

Negotiations on a new employee contract in Du Quoin Unit District 300 are likely to begin in March, and already both sides agree they want a multiyear contract.

Employees are currently working on a one-year contract that expires the day before school starts this fall. Parties usually prefer multiple-year pacts but last year the administration and the Du Quoin Education Association were concerned with COVID-19, the economy, and what would happen to school funding.

"There were a lot of unknown variables," said Superintendent Matt Hickam, who added he would like to see a three-year contract come out of the upcoming negotiations.

Pam Purcell, co-president of the Education Association, agreed Thursday that employees would prefer a multiyear contract as well.

Neither side is expecting strife-filled negotiations.

"We have a great working relationship with our superintendent and administration and school board," Pursell said, saying whenever an issue arises they can typically just sit down and discuss it.

Hickam said the biggest issues at the table will be salary and benefits. District 300 currently pays 100% of employees' health care premiums, and that has proved to be an important perk to the staff, he said, so much so that the employee team has in the past agreed to smaller raises to keep the benefits. Employees who want to further insure a spouse and/or children pay those premiums out of pocket.

Hickam said with the rising cost of health care, it's conceivable that sometime in the future the district might decide it can't afford to pay 100% of the premiums any more. But this year, it is likely the benefit will remain intact, he added.

Another popular perk in past contracts that is expected to remain is tuition reimbursement for staffers who are pursuing advanced degrees or additional endorsements, Hickam said. An employee has up to $3,000 per semester in reimbursements for approved courses (which they need to pass to get the reimbursement).

Board members Amy Rose, Kevin West and Trent Waller have volunteered to be on the district negotiating team.

The Du Quoin Education Association represents all employees at District 300, not just teachers. Co-presidents (Pam Pursell and Nikki Saunders) are chosen from both the professional education staff and the support staff.