Better pay for teachers and support staff in the Kewanee School District would help the district to attract — and retain — quality teachers and staff members, a member of the teacher union said Wednesday afternoon.
The union — the Kewanee Education Association (KEA) — went into mediation Wednesday with the school administration in an effort to reach a contract agreement.
The KEA’s current three-year contract with the district expires Aug. 15. Students return to classes on Aug. 17.
“We’re hopeful that we can come to a fair contract before the start of the school year,” said Rachelle Price, a kindergarten teacher and KEA member.
While neither the KEA nor School Supt. Dr. Chris Sullens have revealed any details of the contract impasse, it appears that teacher and staff salaries are a key issue.
Mrs. Price said the KEA has been “struggling to get a fair contract that we need to retain the best teachers and staff.”
She said competition among school districts for teachers is strong now, and districts have had to offer better salaries to attract quality staff.
KEA members have said two elementary-school teachers have resigned from the Kewanee district and taken jobs at Wethersfield for better pay.
Sullens said earlier that the district’s administration and school board will not comment on the ongoing negotiations.
He also pointed out that the two sides went into mediation three years ago, and came out with a new contract agreement.
The KEA conducted informational picketing Wednesday at the district administrative offices on North Main Street, and Mrs. Price said there was strong support for the teachers from people driving by.
***This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
