Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Full-Time Retiree Teachers

This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is entered into this 24th day of May 2023, between the Chicago Board of Education (“Board”) and the Chicago Teachers Union (“CTU” or “Union”) (collectively, the “Parties”).

WHEREAS, the Board and the Union are parties to a collective bargaining agreement effective July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2024 (“CBA”);

WHEREAS, Public Act 102-1013 amended Section 17-149 of the Illinois Pension Code such that, subject to certain requirements, retired teachers are permitted until June 30, 2024 to return to full-time employment in subject matter shortage areas duly certified as such by the Board without cancellation of their pension benefits; and

WHEREAS, the Board has taken the required steps to certify that all teaching positions that qualify for waivers of its residency policy constitute positions in subject matter shortage areas under Section 17-149 of the Illinois Pension Code.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:

  1. Salary. Retirees hired into positions in subject matter shortage areas (hereinafter “Full-time Retiree Teachers”) shall be paid on the teacher salary schedule at the lane and step they were on at the time of their retirement. Full-time Retiree Teachers who work in such positions will be eligible for step advancement in accordance with the CBA and Board policy applicable to active-duty, appointed teachers.

  2. Evaluation. Full-time Retiree Teachers will not be subject to teacher evaluation.

  3. No Pensionability. In accordance with state law, Full-time Retiree Teachers pay will not be pensionable, and retirees will not receive additional pension service credit time for work as a Full-timeRetiree Teacher.

  4. Insurance Benefits. Full-timeRetiree Teachers will maintaintheir health insurance coverage through the ChicagoTeachers’ Pension Fund. Retiree Teachers are not eligible for insurance coveragethrough CPS.

  5. Benefit Days. Full-time Retiree Teachers will receive an annual allotment of benefit days pursuant to the terms of the CBA in accordance with their years of service (i.e., inclusiveoflongevitydays,ifapplicable). Full-timeRetireeTeachersmayrolloverunuseddays for future use during SY2023-24, or beyond if the legislationis extended, but such unused days are not eligible for pension service credit. Except as required by law, Retiree Teachers are not eligible for leaves.

  6. Displacement. In accordance with the Pension Code, thepositions filled by Full-time Retiree Teachers will continue to be considered vacancies. When such a position is filled by an appointed, active-duty teacher, the Full-time Retiree Teacher’s assignment will immediately conclude. Full-time Retiree Teachers shall not have seniority or bumping rights in theeventoflayoffsataschoolatwhichtheyareassigned. WhenaFull-timeRetireeTeacher’s assignment concludes due to a position being filled by an appointed, active-duty teacher, principal discretion, or due to a position closure, the Full-time Retiree Teacher will be displaced. If a Full-time Retiree Teacher is displaced prior to June 30, 2024, or a subsequently adopted later legislative sunset date, the Board will assist the Full-time RetireeTeacher in being placed in another subject matter shortage area position, if such open positions exist.

  7. Class Size Positions may be Eligible. Positions allocated to a school by the Joint Class Size Committee may be filled by Full-time Retiree Teachers if such positions otherwise qualify under the Pension Code and this MOU.

  8. Parental Leaves. Full-time Retiree Teachers may fill positions vacant due to an incumbent employee being on parental leave, subject to all other terms of this Agreement.

  9. Effectiveness. This MOU shall remain effective unless and until June 30, 2024, or a term extended by amendments to Public Act 102-1013.

  10. Other Terms. Except as otherwise provided in this MOU, the terms and conditions of Full-time Retiree Teachers’ employment shall be governed by the CBA.

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
By: Benjamin Felton

CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION LOCAL 1, AFT-IFT, AFL-CIO
By: Thaddeus H. Goodchild

Dated: May 24, 2023