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Board ratifies three-year agreement with teaching assistants union; $1.50 added to base step
Summary
Board approved ratification of a 2025–2028 collective bargaining agreement with the Decatur Federation of Teaching Assistants (DEFDA), covering about 314 members and featuring a $1.50 per-hour base increase and other terms.
The Decatur Public School District 61 Board of Education on Aug. 5 ratified and adopted a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Decatur Federation of Teaching Assistants (DEFDA), covering the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
Monica Wilkes, director of human resources, presented highlights of the negotiated agreement. Wilkes said the parties resolved 28 language items, the unit comprises about 314 DEFDA members, and the agreement was ratified by the bargaining unit on June 28, 2025, with 99% approval.
Union representative Michelle Mitchell (chair of the bargaining team) and other bargaining-team members addressed the board and thanked administrators and board members for the negotiation process. Mitchell called the ratification “good news” after months of cooperative bargaining.
Financial terms included a $1.50 increase added to the base for each of the three years. Wilkes said that raises the new base step (step 1 with 60 hours) to $21.50 per hour. The board approved the agreement by roll call vote, 6–0, with one member absent.
Board members thanked the bargaining team and district negotiators. Wilkes noted the district team included Chief Operations Officer Mike Curry and others; union leaders named their bargaining team and supporters.
The board’s motion ratified the agreement and authorized administration to implement the contract terms with payroll and human-resources processes.
