Parkway school board, union OK contract

ROCKFORD - Parkway school board and its teachers' union on Monday approved a three-year contract.

All teachers will receive raises of 1.25 percent the first two years of the contract and 1 percent the final year. Treasurer Debbie Pierce said the teachers' insurance costs will increase 2 percent during the next three years.

Superintendent Greg Puthoff said both sides were happy with the negotiations, which took place March 19 and 29.

The current contract expires June 30.

"The Parkway teachers have helped move the school district (state report card) rating from academic watch a few years ago to excellent the last two years," Puthoff said in a joint statement with union president Ben Neff. "The board recognizes the progress the students and teachers have made, and our recent negotiations show how the board and teachers continue to work together as a team."

Puthoff said he's been pleased working with his current staff.

"Our teachers do a good job, and the contract is an effort of everyone working together," he said. "Financially, with the economy, we thought that was a good raise. We're not in financial trouble, so we thought that was a good balance."

The last three-year contract included raises of 1 percent the first two years and 2 percent the third year.