Lengthy negotiations led to a new contract for the BEA. (WJBC File Photo)

By Andy Dahn

BLOOMINGTON – After months of negotiations and a recent eight and a half hour mediation session, District 87 and the Bloomington Education Association agreed to a new contract Wednesday night.

Teachers won't get pay raises in the first year but could get raises based on service and education in years two and three.

The agreement will last until 2017, and District Superintendent Barry Reilly said the three years will prepare the educators for uncertain times up ahead.

"I'm very pleased that we got a three year agreement," Reilly said. "Given the difficult times that we're in, it helps to provide some stability. We know what we have to do over the next few years. There are a lot of unanswered things, you look at what's going on at the state level and what might happen with the Governor's budget."

Reilly said while the agreement is a relief, there is still work to be done and questions to be answered.

"They were very challenging and lengthy negotiations because both sides recognize the difficulties of the finances and the times," Reilly said. "We're really struggling with length of time and what the future may hold, so in the end I was pleased with the contract."

The school board is hoping the new agreement gets the district moving in the right direction.

"Hopefully we are able to make some significant change in education," said Reilly. "I talked a little bit about Illinois Vision 20/20 tonight and at the last board meeting. There is some opportunity to change funding in the state of Illinois, a more realistic way to fund schools opposed to just a redistribution of the funds."

Despite the concerns, Reilly is keeping a positive attitude.

"I'm hopeful that the future is looking brighter than what we've seen in the last couple of years," Reilly said. "That remains to be seen, but I am optimistic that things are going to get better."

Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].