The Duneland School Board at a special meeting Friday approved a new two-year contract with the Duneland Teachers Association that keeps the staff among the best paid in the state.

The vote was three board members for the contract with an abstention from Jocelyn Hibshman, because her husband is a Duneland teacher. School Board member Kirk Redman was absent.

School Board President Brandon Kroft thanked the community for making the contract possible.

Duneland voters on Nov. 4 renewed an operating referendum that will raise up to $16.1 million annually for the district. By approving the referendum, residents in effect will be giving most of the property tax savings created by Senate Enrolled Act 1 back to the district.

Kroft said that he also appreciated that all the parties — the admin

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