Morton Unit District 709

Superintendent Craig Smock (right) listens as Assistant Superintendent Joe Sander discusses the new teacher orientation schedule Tuesday at a Morton School Board meeting. Smock will retire after the 2024-25 school year, and Sander will take over as superintendent.

Morton Education Association's new 3-year contract features a 5% pay increase each year

Steve Stein

After MEA members ratified the three-year agreement in votes taken Thursday and Monday, the Morton School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the contract.

For the first time in 24 years, contract talks between the Morton School District and Morton Education Association have gone to federal mediation.

Local News

Morton teachers union, school district tentatively settle contract issues after 6 1/2-hour bargaining session

Steve Stein

The Morton Education Association and Morton School District hope to have a contract agreement in place before the start of the 2024-25 school year in August.

Local News

Farmland owners buy back their land from the Morton School District

Steve Stein

The Morton School District bought nearly 124 acres of farmland for $4.4 million in 2013 to address future facilities needs. On Tuesday, the district sold the land back to the original owners for $2.8 million.

Craig Smock, left, speaks at a Morton School Board meeting.

Local News

Morton School District selling farmland it purchased for $4.4 million in 2013

Steve Stein

The asking price is a minimum $22,000 per acre, or $2.7 million. Sealed bids were opened Monday. The sale of the land to the highest bidder is on the School Board meeting agenda Tuesday.