ROXANA - Roxana Community Unit School District #1 families were greeted by picketing educators as they entered registration.
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On Thursday, July 30, 2026, families registered their students at Roxana High School as teachers stood outside and conducted an informational picket. Roxana Education Association Union President Kim Jones explained that the union has been negotiating with the Board of Education since January to approve a new contract for the 2026–2027 school year, and they have yet to come to an agreement.
“We’re just picketing informationally so that our parents know that we’ll be starting the school year without a contract,” Jones said. “Ultimately, this is about getting the best educators in the classrooms for our kiddos and keeping the people that have the relationships with those kids and our families.”
Jones explained that the previous contract offered existing teachers in the district “first rights” to bid on a position when there is a vacancy. The proposed contract would “take that away.”
Additionally, the union wants to see higher hourly rates for teachers who substitute during their planning periods. There are also concerns about the pay rates for teachers.
Jones said the union and the Board of Education have “kind of come to an agreement on insurance,” but these other issues are major concerns for the union.
“We want to retain the teachers that have the commitment to the district and our kiddos,” she said. “Money is still on the table because currently, what they’re offering us, some of our teachers would go backwards in pay. They would bring home less than what they did last year, and so we’re trying to prevent that.”
Retention is a major concern for Jones, who noted that the district restructured the salary schedule two years ago and now wants to restructure it again. The union believes the proposed salary schedule would offer more money to teachers who are new to the profession instead of those who are already working in the district.
“The way they want to restructure it, it doesn’t allow us to retain teachers and keep our experienced staff. Those are the ones that have commitments. They have relationships with our kiddos and their families,” Jones explained. “My whole career has been here. We have a lot of teachers that are committed to this district, and that's what we want to keep.”
Jones added that the union and the Board of Education have included a federal mediator in their last four meetings. She said the union has “been trying to change our proposal to meet their needs,” while the Board is “not making many adjustments,” which has been “very frustrating” for the union.
Their last meeting was on Tuesday, July 28, and the union asked for the Board’s “last, best and final offer.” Once the union receives this information, they will take it to their members and “go from there,” Jones added.
During the picket on July 30, Jones said the experience was “actually kind of nice” because the union members were able to welcome students and families while answering questions from parents.
In an email, Superintendent Dr. Courtney Castelli addressed the picket.
“The Board of Education is aware of the Roxana Education Association’s recent press release and informational picket. We respect the right of employees to express their views and advocate for their interests throughout the collective bargaining process,” she wrote. “The Board and its administrative team remain committed to bargaining in good faith and to reaching a fair agreement that supports our staff, students, and community.”
Jones emphasized that the picket was intended to be “informational” as they wait for the Board’s offer.
“We’re waiting on their last, best and final [offer],” she said. “We don’t have any intention to strike right now, but we also are willing to do what it takes to get a good contract.”
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