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Board unanimously approves REA collective bargaining agreement; teacher urges action on retroactive pay
Summary
At a special meeting called at 5:30 p.m., the Rockford Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the REA collective bargaining agreement. During public comment, first‑grade teacher Ryan Pearson said more than 200 new teachers received no retroactive pay and described confrontations with REA leadership.
The Rockford Board of Education on a special meeting called at 5:30 p.m. voted unanimously to approve item 2A, the REA (Rockford Education Association) collective bargaining agreement.
Board president opened the meeting, read the district mission and acknowledged staff producing the board’s broadcast. After a motion and a second to approve the agreement, the presiding officer said: “I want to thank our teachers for continuing to provide for our students throughout this process,” and praised both bargaining teams and non‑certified staff for their efforts. The roll call recorded Miss Pearson, Miss Chavez, Miss McCall, Miss Bennett, Mr. Carpenter, Miss Haley and Miss Stanford voting yes; the presiding officer announced the motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: the agreement ended the board’s immediate bargaining session with a formal approval; the vote means the board adopted terms negotiated with the REA and moves the district past the most recent bargaining impasse.
Public comment followed. Ryan Pearson, who identified himself as a first‑grade teacher, told the board that “over 200 other new teachers” received zero dollars in retroactive pay and said new teachers “should have started with a 2025–26 contract, not a 2024–25 contract.” He also said he experienced hostile treatment from REA leadership after raising questions — including being removed from a Facebook group and being told security would be called if he asked questions in person. Pearson said he was “glad the strike is not happening,” and that he loves teaching.
The presiding officer had earlier read the board’s rules for public speaking and cited board policy 2.2.230 and board policy 8.30, which set time limits and decorum expectations for commenters. No formal response to Pearson’s claims by the board or REA leadership is recorded in the meeting transcript.
Next steps: the board adjourned after the public comment period. The motion to approve the REA agreement is recorded as passed; the transcript does not include implementation details or effective dates for the agreement, nor does it include a named mover or seconder for the motion.
