West Frankfort teachers and school staff took to the streets Saturday morning for a labor march as contract negotiations between the district and the local teachers’ union remain at a standstill.
West Frankfort CUSD #168 has now released public proposals from both the district and the American Federation of Teachers Local 817. Talks have stretched on for more than five months and over a dozen meetings without an agreement.
According to the union’s proposal, teachers are focused on smaller class sizes, fair pay increases, and protecting employee benefits. The plan calls for a cap of 26 students per elementary classroom, with additional aides added if numbers rise above that.
The union is also seeking what it calls “reasonable raises,” proposing a two-year contract that includes annual step increases to reflect teaching experience. Union leaders say their proposal would actually save the district about $156,000 over two years due to recent staff reductions.
On insurance, the union has offered to take on higher deductibles—raising the cap from $400 to $600—which they estimate could save the district up to $40,000. They’ve also proposed updates to classroom discipline policies, suggesting “cooling-off periods” for disruptive students instead of suspensions, aiming to keep students in class while addressing behavior issues.
Union leaders accuse the district of delaying progress and not bargaining in good faith. They filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the state labor board late last month.
The district’s latest proposal centers on maintaining financial stability. West Frankfort #168 has faced ongoing budget challenges and is projecting a deficit of around $480,000 by the end of the 2025–2026 school year.
The board is proposing a three-year contract with a 0.5% raise in the first year, followed by small step increases in the next two years. The plan would also limit salary movement to two lanes per year and freeze certain administrative and aide salaries.
The district’s proposal includes changes to health insurance coverage starting in 2026. Employees whose spouses have access to other insurance through their own jobs would no longer be eligible for district-paid spousal coverage. Deductibles would also increase from $600 to $750 by 2027.
District officials say the measures are necessary to prevent further financial decline and possible state intervention. West Frankfort CUSD #168 has appeared multiple times on the state’s Financial Watch List due to low financial ratings.
Officials also note that West Frankfort teachers are already among the higher-paid educators in the region, with salaries above those in neighboring districts such as Benton, Carterville, and Herrin.
AFT Local 817 leaders say they do not want to strike but are preparing for that possibility if progress isn’t made soon. The district says it remains committed to reaching an agreement and avoiding any disruption for students and families.
