The Morton Education Association and Morton School District announced Tuesday that they've reached a tentative settlement on the financial issues that were preventing the two sides from reaching a contract agreement.
The union and school district bargaining teams worked with a federal mediator for 6 1/2 hours until 10:30 p.m. Monday before tentatively settling their financial issues, according to a post directed to union members on the MEA's Facebook page.
No details about the new contract will be revealed immediately because the two sides need to work on the contract language that will be changing.
"Until we make those edits and sign off on each one, no details about the contract will be released," MEA President Shane Weyland and Morton Superintendent Craig Smock said in the post.
"We feel this is a very fair settlement that reflects financial responsibility, while also showing support and appreciation of the outstanding work that you all do," the post reads.
It's hoped that MEA members will ratify the contract prior to the Aug. 6 school board meeting so the board can approve the contract before the start of the 2024-25 school year, according to the post.
The MEA's current three-year contract with the school district expires Aug. 1.
The union represents 240 teachers, counselors, speech pathologists, psychologists and social workers who serve more than 3,200 students in the K-12 district.
