RACINE — The Racine Unified School District and a teachers union appear to have reached a deal regarding staff base wages next school year.
After bargaining for more than an hour last Wednesday, RUSD and Racine Educators United, the union representing RUSD instructors, reached a tentative agreement for a 2% base wage increase in 2024-25.
The tentative agreement requires approval from teachers union members and the RUSD Board during its April 22 meeting.
On April 4, RUSD and the teachers union exchanged initial base wage proposals. The school district offered a 0% base wage increase for the 2024-25 school year. The union proposed a 4.12% increase to keep up with inflation.
In a statement, RUSD said the 2% increase “recognizes the significant financial challenges facing the district, while demonstrating our commitment to ensuring fair compensation for our valued and dedicated staff.”
The school district, like many in Wisconsin, is facing a “fiscal cliff” starting next school year. RUSD has projected annual deficits of at least $34 million in the next few years.
In an email, REU President Angelina Cruz wrote that the 2% increase “reflects the unprecedented financial challenges that have been imposed upon the district by the state legislature, through both over a decade of intentional defunding and the diversion of local funding through the school voucher program.”
RUSD provided 8% base wage increases to workers this school year.
In the 2022-23 school year, RUSD provided 4.7% base wage increases to employees.
“While the 2% increase will not keep educators on pace with inflation, the good faith bargaining that brought us to this tentative agreement reflects an understanding on the part of the district that attracting and retaining educators must be a priority,” Cruz wrote.
Last month, the RUSD Board approved two items that will boost RUSD staff pay by up to $3.7 million next school year.
The School Board approved a salary step increase for the 2024-25 school year that will pay staff a maximum of about $3.08 million more than this school year.
The step increase, also called a rung, is based on teachers’ years of service.
The board also approved a level increase for next school year that would pay staff a maximum of about $617,000 more than this school year.
The level increase is based on instructors’ educational attainment, such as a bachelor’s or a master’s degree.
“We deeply appreciate the essential role our employees play in providing quality education and support to our students and families,” RUSD wrote in its statement. “Attracting and retaining talented individuals is essential for maintaining the high standards of education we uphold.”
Racine Unified teachers, including Paige Kiesler, right with glasses, and Bill Sakalaucks, center with fist raised, rallied Monday at the RUSD Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. Educators rallied to emphasize their demands for better pay in the form of an 8% cost of living adjustment and a salary step increase based on years of service.
Racine Unified teachers, including Heather Jirgensen, right, rallied Monday at the RUSD Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. Educators rallied to emphasize their demands for better pay in the form of an 8% cost of living adjustment and a salary step increase based on years of service.
Maurizia Johnson, Wadewitz Elementary educational assistant, speaks Monday at the Racine Unified School District Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. Johnson said educational assistants “need a living wage because, although we love our jobs, love does not pay the bills.”
Angelina Cruz, president of Racine Educators United, speaks Monday at the Racine Unified School District Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. Cruz urged the RUSD Board "to start prioritizing the kids and families of Racine Unified over failed administrators.”
About 50 Racine Unified educators rallied Monday at the RUSD Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St., to advocate for better pay and support.
Heather Jirgensen, Olympia Brown Elementary teacher and building union representative, speaks Monday at the Racine Unified School District Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St.
Nine photos of Racine teachers advocating for fair pay
Racine Unified educators rallied Monday to emphasize their demands for better pay and support.
Racine Unified teachers, including Paige Kiesler, right with glasses, and Bill Sakalaucks, center with fist raised, rallied Monday at the RUSD Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. Educators rallied to emphasize their demands for better pay in the form of an 8% cost of living adjustment and a salary step increase based on years of service.
RYAN PATTERSON
Racine Unified teachers, including Heather Jirgensen, right, rallied Monday at the RUSD Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. Educators rallied to emphasize their demands for better pay in the form of an 8% cost of living adjustment and a salary step increase based on years of service.
RYAN PATTERSON
Maurizia Johnson, Wadewitz Elementary educational assistant, speaks Monday at the Racine Unified School District Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. Johnson said educational assistants “need a living wage because, although we love our jobs, love does not pay the bills.”
RYAN PATTERSON
Angelina Cruz, president of Racine Educators United, speaks Monday at the Racine Unified School District Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St. Cruz urged the RUSD Board "to start prioritizing the kids and families of Racine Unified over failed administrators.”
RYAN PATTERSON
About 50 Racine Unified educators rallied Monday at the RUSD Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St., to advocate for better pay and support.
RYAN PATTERSON
Heather Jirgensen, Olympia Brown Elementary teacher and building union representative, speaks Monday at the Racine Unified School District Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St.
RYAN PATTERSON
A teacher holds a sign Monday at the Racine Unified School District Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St.
RYAN PATTERSON
Angelina Cruz, Racine Educators United president, speaks at the Racine Unified School District Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St.
RYAN PATTERSON
A teacher holds a sign Monday at the Racine Unified School District Administrative Service Campus, 3109 Mt. Pleasant St.