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Tri-Creek board ratifies teachers’ contract, approves benefit and pay updates
Summary
The Tri-Creek School Corporation board ratified the 2025–26 teachers’ bargaining agreement and approved related benefit and compensation changes, including a 4% health insurance premium rise split between employer and employee and multiple starting‑wage increases.
The Tri-Creek School Corporation Board of School Trustees on Nov. 13 ratified the 2025–26 bargaining agreement with the Tri Creek Teachers Organization and approved a package of benefits and compensation changes affecting staff districtwide.
Michelle Klein of the Tri Creek Teachers Organization addressed the board before the vote to thank trustees and district leaders for securing teacher raises, saying, “I just wanna come and, express my appreciation.” After the public comment period, trustees moved to ratify the agreement; the board voted in favor on a voice vote.
Business operations director Dana summarized employee benefit changes that accompanied the contract. The district’s health insurance premiums will rise 4% overall, split as 2% on employees and 2% on the employer, she said. The Northwest Indiana Schools Insurance Trust also approved higher prescription copays; Dana urged staff to consider the NorthShore clinic as an alternative and said it can help mitigate plan costs.
Board members also approved a 3% increase to dental premiums that will be charged to employees, while vision benefits will see no change. Dana told trustees the health-plan increase represents approximately $70,000 to the district budget.
The board approved a compensation package with targeted starting‑wage increases to improve recruitment and retention. Dana said classroom aides will move from $12.50 an hour to $13.00; building secretaries received a 50¢ increase; bookkeepers to $15.50; and bus drivers to $23.50 (from $22.50). Substitute pay was raised across categories: permit subs from $85 to $90 per day; certified subs from $90 to $95; a retired Tri Creek teacher rate was set at $110 per day; and the district added a long‑term substitute-with-permit rate of $100 per day (retroactive to July 1 for placements since July). Dana described a plan to process all retroactive increases on a consolidated payroll run on Nov. 20.
Trustees approved the compensation and benefit measures by voice vote. The board also approved a related set of personnel items on the consent agenda.
What’s next: The administration will implement the benefit changes and apply retroactive pay as described; the district said it will continue communicating options for employees to minimize future premium pressure.
