No Strike By DeKalb Teachers Union

The DeKalb School District 428 Board and the DeKalb Classroom Teachers’ Association (DCTA) have reached a tentative, four-year contract agreement less than 24 hours before the teacher’s union filed its intent to strike. School Board members felt the timing to reach a compromise was at a point where both sides could agree has taken longer than anticipated.  

The School Board had hoped to have negotiations completed before the current three-year contract expired August 15, but could not get it done before the start of the school year.

This action can avoid a strike by teachers that would disrupt the school year and academic calendar. The last confrontation between the School Board and the Teachers Union was in July 2016 where negotiations avoided a lengthy strike. T. J. Fontana, spokesperson for the Teachers Union had hoped the intent to file to strike would not be necessary and that negotiations would work out. Fontana is a math teacher at DeKalb High School.  

There are 12 schools and over 500 teachers represented by the Union.  There are approximately 6,500 students in the various schools in DeKalb District 428. 

According to current Board members there are still a few details to be worked out but solutions can be found with the agreement of both teachers and School Board members. A complete report card on DeKalb District 428 can be found from the State Illinois Board of Education. (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/District.aspx?districtId=16019428026)