ROCKFORD, IL — Retroactive back pay could be the biggest remaining stumbling block in negotiations with Rockford Public Schools and its nearly 2,000 teachers.

Although the school system has sweetened its offer for salary increases in recent weeks, teachers do not appear willing to accept a contract without pay increases going back to June 2025 when their last contract expired. Rockford Education Association leaders say such retroactive pay increases are typical in cases where teachers have worked for months under an expired contract.

“It’s extremely disappointing the district continues to put forth offers that deny retro pay to Rockford teachers,” REA President Claudia Marshall said in a written statement. “They continue to ignore our parents, community members and the REA as we repeatedly ask for a competitive and fair contract.”

The two sides will meet again Feb. 9 in an effort to end their long-running contract dispute.

Teachers have voted to authorize a strike. The next step is for the REA to issue a 10-day intent to strike notice to Rockford Public Schools, the regional superintendent and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. The earliest a strike could come is the week of Feb. 23.

In its latest offer, Rockford Public Schools would provide teachers 4% base pay increases annually for three years in addition to built-in raises for years of service and additional educational attainment. It isn’t quite as much of an increase as teachers originally sought but is an increase from previous offers.

Rockford Public Schools have resisted retroactive pay saying that it would require payroll reporting across tax years, compliance with Teacher Retirement System reporting requirements and that “inaccuracies can create serious penalties.”

The district is now threatening that if there is a strike, instructional days are unlikely be added to the calendar. That means teachers could lose money.

“This offer respects the hard work of our teachers and helps us move forward quickly, starting as soon as it’s ratified,” school district officials said in a post on its website.

“We were also clear with the REA that if a strike happens, very few days are likely to be made up. We’re already well into the school year, and the calendar simply doesn’t allow for much flexibility to add days back. That means educators could lose between $360 and $500 a day, depending on where they fall on the salary schedule.”

The school district and the union have been negotiating for a new contract for nearly a year.

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Lack of back pay forms wedge between Rockford teachers, district

Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star

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