Rockford Teachers Union and School District Conclude Tense Bargaining Session

Details of the meeting remain unknown as both sides seek to avoid a potential strike.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 10:23pm

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The five-hour bargaining session between the Rockford Education Association (REA) and Rockford Public Schools (RPS) has concluded, but the outcome remains unclear. REA president Claudia Marshall stated that RPS presented a counteroffer, but the specifics are not yet known. The key sticking points appear to be teacher salaries and special education workloads, with the union seeking 5.5% raises over three years and the district offering 4%. Both sides expressed a desire to avoid a strike, but tensions remain high as the district struggles with teacher shortages and high workloads.

Why it matters

The ongoing contract negotiations between the teachers' union and the school district are crucial for the stability and quality of Rockford's public education system. A potential strike could disrupt learning for thousands of students and create further challenges for a district already facing staffing shortages and high workloads for teachers.

The details

During the bargaining session, REA president Claudia Marshall stated that RPS is presenting the union with a counteroffer, but the details of this offer are not yet known. The union had previously asked for 5.5% raises for each of the next three years, while the district had offered 4% raises. Another key sticking point is the special education workload, with Marshall arguing that the district is "dumping more expectation and workload on teachers" without adequate compensation.

  • The five-hour bargaining session took place on February 6, 2026.
  • A press release from the REA is expected to be released on Thursday night.

The players

Claudia Marshall

President of the Rockford Education Association (REA), the teachers' union.

Dr. Erhen Jarrett

Superintendent of Rockford Public Schools (RPS).

Rockford Education Association (REA)

The teachers' union representing educators in the Rockford Public Schools district.

Rockford Public Schools (RPS)

The public school district serving the city of Rockford, Illinois.

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What they’re saying

“We don't have enough teachers in the district as it is. And then we're dumping more expectation and workload on teachers, and the district would like that to be done without more compensation. We're already bleeding our teachers dry.”

— Claudia Marshall, President, Rockford Education Association

“This is ultimately always going to be about attracting and retaining teachers, while being able to afford the cost of attracting and retaining teachers. And we know there's still a disagreement on that, but we are confident that we can get there at the bargaining table and are hopeful we can avoid a strike.”

— Dr. Erhen Jarrett, Superintendent, Rockford Public Schools

What’s next

A press release from the Rockford Education Association is expected to be released on Thursday night, which may provide more details on the outcome of the bargaining session and the path forward.

The takeaway

The ongoing contract negotiations between the Rockford teachers' union and the school district highlight the delicate balance between providing fair compensation and benefits for educators while also maintaining financial sustainability for the district. Both sides appear committed to avoiding a strike, but significant disagreements remain over issues like salaries and workloads, which could lead to further tensions if not resolved.