By Eric Stock

NORMAL – Unit 5 Superintendent Mark Daniel said Tuesday the district has struck a tentative deal with the teachers union on a new two-year contract.

While he wouldn’t discuss specifics pending final approval of the Unit 5 Board of Education and Unit Five Education Association, Daniel told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the contract helps address a pay disparity.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Daniel on WJBC.

“We are probably one of the, if not the lowest beginning salary for teachers in Central Illinois and we are a premier district,” Daniel said. “I think we are, maybe I’m a little biased, but I’d say we are a premier district.

“It’s becoming more and more difficult for us to land those entry-level teachers.”

Unit 5 entry-level teachers start at $34,600. Daniel said benefits and compensation were the primary focus of contract talks over the last two months.

Entry-level teachers would get an automatic raise if a proposal in the Illinois House becomes law.

The plan would require teachers be paid a $40,000 minimum. Daniel said that wouldn’t be feasible for many districts, including his.

“There are districts that are above the $40,000 mark, but for districts statewide to have that mandate, I don’t know how it would happen,” Daniel said. ‘It’s just too heavy of a lift.”

The proposal was introduced by State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, a former teacher. She said the bill would end Illinois’ teacher shortage.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].