At its regular meeting on March 18, 2025, the District 97 Board of Education approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the Oak Park Teachers’ Association (OPTA). The contract, which was ratified by OPTA members on March 4, will remain in effect through the 2027-28 school year.
The new agreement reflects the shared commitment of both parties to attract and retain exceptional educators, foster innovation, and support the success of all District 97 students. The process was guided by a collaborative approach that thoughtfully balanced the needs of staff, students, and the community, while reaffirming our dedication to equity.
An overview of the contract highlights is provided below, followed by a joint statement from the District 97 Board of Education, district administration, and the OPTA.
Key Highlights of the Agreement
- Clear and Competitive Salary Structure: Responding to staff feedback, the new contract eliminates salary bands and introduces a clear and competitive salary structure designed to attract and retain top-tier educators. The new structure includes at least 5% increases on base salary in the first year of the agreement, as well as increased recognition for advanced degrees and credited years of service.
- Game Changer Teacher Stipends to National Board Certification: We believe that unleashing the expertise of teachers will be a key factor in achieving our equity policy. One of the ways to make that happen is to leverage the district’s significant financial investment in annual above-salary stipends to employees who hold a National Board Certified/equivalent certification. Since 2014, District 97 has offered one of the highest recognition stipends in the state, with National Board Certified teachers earning additional stipends of $10,000 per year. In SY24, this investment totaled over $1 million.
The annual stipend will now be divided into two components: 1) 50% for recognition, and 2) 50% for successful completion of a project which makes an annual contribution to district goals. The expectation for an annual contribution to earn the stipend has been part of the agreement language since 2014, but the district has not had a system in place for documenting contributions. The district is excited to work in collaboration with OPTA to show how investing in Game Changer Teachers can advance equity and contribute to universal student success in public schools.
- Additional Compensation for Extracurricular Leadership: Educators who coach sports and lead extracurricular teams will receive increased compensation, recognizing their critical role in students’ holistic development.
- Enhanced Retirement Benefits: Eligible retirees with 25 or more years in District 97 will receive benefits competitive with peer districts, reflecting the district’s commitment to honoring long-term service.
- Family-Teacher Conferences: Formalizing changes implemented for the 2024-25 school year, the contract restructures family-teacher conferences to offer both in-person and virtual options. In the fall, conferences will be held in person unless families request a virtual option, while in the winter, conferences will be virtual unless families prefer to meet in person. Additionally, there will be a full day of student attendance on Thursday of conference week, with no school on Friday.
Joint Statement from District 97 and Oak Park Teachers' Association
The District 97 Board of Education, district administration and Oak Park Teachers' Association (OPTA) are pleased to announce that we have reached a new agreement. This milestone reflects over a year of collaboration between both negotiating teams, and demonstrates our shared commitment to ensuring the success of District 97 students.
We are grateful to the negotiation teams, including OPTA representatives, district administrators, and the facilitator, for their dedication throughout this process. This is the first full contract negotiation between the teams in six years, following the pandemic-related contract extension in 2022. Mindful of the challenges and changes educators have faced during this time, both teams worked diligently to find solutions that balance the needs of all interest holders.
At the heart of this agreement is a shared belief in the power of educators to transform lives and create meaningful opportunities for all students. This contract represents a step forward in building a district culture that reflects our community’s dedication to innovation, inclusion, and collaboration.
We appreciate the patience and support of our community as we worked through this process, and we look forward to continuing our partnership to build an even stronger future for District 97.