Wilmette District 39’s school board is scheduled to consider a new four-year support staff contract Monday, Nov. 16, after union members ratified a tentative agreement, the district announced Nov. 9.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Mikaelian Education Center. Board approval is the remaining step before the agreement takes effect.
The district and the Support Council of District 39 Wilmette Local 1274, IFT/AFT announced the tentative agreement Nov. 5, following negotiations that began in April.
The proposed contract includes annual wage increases while maintaining employee insurance costs and paid holidays, according to a union announcement reported by Patch. The district’s ratification notice does not disclose specific raises or other detailed terms.
Union President Michelle McGregor said the agreement advances the union’s goal of bringing support staff compensation closer to neighboring districts, Patch reported. The union also expressed hope that the contract would help address recruitment and retention challenges.
The agreement follows an Oct. 30 strike notice. In a Nov. 2 letter to families, Board President Anne Hart identified wages, health insurance contributions and paid holidays for 10-month employees as the principal disputed issues.
The district canceled its Nov. 9 Committee of the Whole meeting, citing a limited agenda and a focus on reaching an agreement. Reports planned for that session will move to the Nov. 16 regular meeting, according to a district update.
Families also face an approaching conference deadline. Registration for District 39’s fall parent/teacher conferences closes Monday, Nov. 16, at 11:55 p.m. Conferences take place Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 20, through the Tes Parents’ Meeting platform, with in-person appointments available by request. Families received registration instructions and login credentials by email.
