WEST FRANKFORT, Ill. (WSIL) -- Educators in West Frankfort have taken a significant step forward by ratifying a new agreement between the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 817 and Frankfort Community Unit School District 168.

According to a statement by the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), the agreement was approved by 85% of the 113 teachers on Friday. This comes after a tentative deal was reached with the school board.

Tim Aldridge, President of AFT Local 817, highlighted the importance of the vote for maintaining fair salaries, healthcare, and smaller class sizes.

“Our students and school communities deserve strong schools that invest in their classrooms and in their educators,” said AFT Local 817 President Tim Aldridge. “With this vote, our members maintain fair sala

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