Midland teachers and staff are considering leaving the district at a high rate, with 85% of teachers indicating they have sought other employment due to low salaries, lack of respect in the workplace, and increasing workloads. This information comes from a recent survey conducted by the Midland Education Association (MEA) among teachers and licensed staff in Midland Community Unit School District 7 (CUSD 7). The survey also highlights that many teachers are working multiple jobs to support their families.
Midland’s educators receive some of the lowest pay in central Illinois, leading to significant turnover. The district loses one out of four teachers annually and struggles to fill these positions. Neighboring districts such as Putnam, Washburn, and Henry offer higher pay and better insurance.
“Many of our teachers went to school in the district. We live in the community. We send our own children to school here. Investing in us is an investment in our community. We know strong students mean strong schools and a strong community,” MEA president Meredith Hattan stated.
The MEA represents 49 dedicated teachers and licensed staff serving over 650 students in CUSD 7. Currently, CUSD 7 and MEA are negotiating a new contract aimed at addressing wage disparities. Negotiations have been ongoing since February, with federal mediation suggested by the board of education after several sessions. The current contract expires on June 30, leaving no new agreement for the upcoming school year.
“We know the district has the money to meet our requests without raising taxes. We’re not asking to be the highest-paid teachers. In fact, we’re some of the lowest-paid teachers in the entire state. We’re just asking for a competitive salary so we can attract and retain the best teachers for our students,” Hattan said.
Contract discussions extend beyond salary issues; CUSD 7’s contributions toward employee health insurance fall behind those of neighboring districts, as do stipends and coaching payments.
Currently, no further bargaining sessions are scheduled before June 18 when CUSD 7’s board meeting will take place at Midland Elementary School at 6:30 p.m.
