The Kewanee School Board and the district’s teacher union have agreed a new three-year collective bargaining agreement.
The board approved the agreement at its meeting last Monday, and the Kewanee Education Association (KEA) adopted the same proposal during votes held on Thursday and Friday last week.
A joint news release from the district and the union said, “This agreement, which will go into effect on July 1, 2026 and remain in place until June 30, 2029, was reached through a negotiating process known as interest-based bargaining. This process aids school boards and associations in finding common ground and thoroughly discussing the interests of both parties while keeping students front of mind.”
Ralph Grimm, a retired educator and area superintendent, trained and guided the negotiating teams through this bargaining framework.
The school board and the KEA “appreciates the time and expertise Grimm generously shared with the Kewanee community,” the release said. The district and association thanked Supt. Rebecca Baney, KEA President Charley Eads, and both negotiating teams for their months of deliberation, conversation and collaboration and Rocio Morales for carefully supporting deliberations as the negotiation secretary.
“Both parties believe a stronger, more unified partnership has been forged during this negotiation process and look forward to the student-centered success it will enable,” the release concluded.
