Teachers return to classrooms April 2 following two-day strike

Online Staff Report

Rockford teachers returned to their classrooms today, Monday, April 2, following a two-day strike, the first by Rockford teachers since 1984.

The teachers’ union, the Rockford Education Association (REA), and the school district reached a tentative agreement Friday, March 30, after teachers hit picket lines at their respective schools for two days straight March 29-30.

The strike brought to a halt all school functions — including school, sporting events and other activities — for the district’s more than 28,000 students. Teachers had been without a contract since July 2011.

The strike included one of the largest public demonstrations in Rockford history with about 1,500 picketers lining both sides of Seventh Street outside the district administration building March 29.

The REA voted 1,500-74 in favor of the strike March 26. The REA and the district had met more than 50 times over the past 11 months before reaching their tentative agreement.

Following is a March 30 press release from Rockford Public School District 205 regarding the tentative agreement:

ROCKFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT 205 REACHES TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE ROCKFORD EDUCATION ASSOCIATION FOR A NEW CONTRACT

Rockford Public Schools District 205 has reached a tentative agreement with the Rockford Education Association for a new contract covering 1,800 Rockford public school teachers.

“We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement for a contract that benefits our students, teachers and the long-term future of our schools,” said Dr. Robert Willis, interim superintendent of the Rockford Public Schools. “Though this has certainly been a long process, both parties shared a common goal to put our students first, and this tentative agreement is reflective of that goal.”

The tentative agreement will now be presented to REA members by their leadership for a ratification vote. Out of respect for that process, the district will not comment on the details of the settlement until the vote takes place.

School will take place as scheduled on Monday, April 2.

Further details will be posted at www.205teachernegotiations.com as they become available.

Posted April 2, 2012