(WEST FRANKFORT, IL) — Teachers in West Frankfort will be staying on the job now that they have a new contract. The Frankfort Community Unit School District #168 Board of Education approved a two-year-contract with the West Frankfort Federation of Teachers Local 817 during a special meeting Tuesday night at the Unit Office in West Frankfort. School Superintendent Dr. Greg Goins says the contract is for this school year and next school year. Teachers will receive a step on the salary schedule in each year, but numbers were not available. Teachers have not had a contract since August, and negotiations for a new contract didn’t start until a month later. Their dispute was over teacher pay saying teachers accepted minimal raises and younger teachers gave up a “step” pay increase in their contracts. The Teachers Union and school board representatives met several times to talk about the issue. The union also filed an intent to strike notice with local, regional and state officials in case a new contract was not approved.