Orland Park High School District 230 reached a contract agreement with its teachers union after more than nine months of negotiations that included federal mediation.

The contract will increase salary costs 19.5%, 8% higher than the previous contract, over three years according to a statement from District 230. It includes higher pay for teachers who also lead co-curricular activities.

The school board approved the agreement Tuesday. The District 230 Teachers Association flooded a board meeting toward the beginning of the school year to protest working without an updated contract.

“This agreement is a financial investment in our teachers, one that will impact students now and into the future without requiring additional effort on the part of local taxpayers,” board President Lynn Zeder said in the district’s statement. “This contract underscores the board’s dedication to our educators and our collective goal of inspiring and empowering all Eagles, Chargers, and T-Bolts.”

Those mascots represent the district’s three schools, Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Sandburg High School in Orland Park and Stagg High School in Palos Hills.

Over the next three years, salaries will increase 4%, 4.5% and 3.6%, respectively, which the district said is about average compared to other Chicago-area schools.

District officials said they budgeted according to the expected contract and expect a large number of retirees in the coming years to help cover extra costs. Additional retirement benefits, and higher co-curricular stipends, are all included in those costs, the district said.

“The last contract was a five-year contract which was signed during lower inflation and prior to the pandemic,” said Jennifer Waterman, district spokesperson. “This new contract allows us to remain regionally competitive and creates the hiring flexibility that we need to compete during the worst teacher shortage we have seen in our lifetime.”

The district also committed to tuition reimbursement for existing employees with professional educator licenses to help the administration fill positions and to provide years of experience to those hard-to-fill positions.

ostevens @chicagotribune.com