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Office personnel council urges higher starting pay ahead of May bargaining
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Summary
The Valley View Office Personnel Council told the board that roughly 130 secretaries serve the district and that starting salaries begin at $28,592; the council said it submitted a financial proposal April 14 and bargaining is scheduled for May 6.
Maria Raises, president of the Valley View office personnel council, told the school board on April 27 that office staff deserve higher wages and called for meaningful progress in upcoming contract talks.
Raising concerns about cost of living, Raises said the district employs approximately 130 secretaries and that starting pay for secretarial positions begins at $28,592 annually (transcript statement). She said 84 secretaries live in Bolingbrook and Romeoville and described many members as sole household providers. The council told the board it submitted a financial proposal on April 14 and expected bargaining to resume on May 6, with hopes for a fair agreement before the contract expires June 30.
Raises framed the request as a matter of equity and retention: she said secretaries are "the backbone of daily operations" and urged the board to consider wages and benefits that would make the district an "employer of choice." She asked employees and allies to show visible solidarity at upcoming bargaining sessions.
Why it matters: the council represents staff who handle day‑to‑day school operations; changes to starting pay and the contract affect retention and household budgets for employees who serve the district.
Next steps: the council said bargaining is scheduled for May 6; no board response or action was recorded at the meeting beyond listening to the statement.
