Time for Dist. 41 taxpayers to be heard

A new year will begin for the Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 board on Aug. 8 at 7:15 p.m. at their school administration building, 793 N. Main St.

This will begin the last year of a 4-year contract with the teachers. They will soon begin negotiations for a new contract. It is a critical time for the taxpayers of the district.

The last contract, available on the district’s website, is outrageous in its lack of support for the taxpayer. Teacher raises for many, if not most, are 7.5 to 8 percent annually. Four-year increases top 26 percent. How many of us paying the bills received this generosity in the past four years?

Teacher insurance contributions are as low as 12 percent. We need, going forward, something that there has been a lack of: moderation. Those 8 percent increases need to be trimmed, and the insurance payments need to be jacked up to realistic levels. There are only so many areas that the board can have the power to alter toward a fair balance, and they must not let themselves be bowled over by the likes of the IEA, the teachers union.

We, the taxpayers of District 41, need to let the board know that it needs to do a better job this time. On Aug. 8, our voices need to be heard. It is likely that most of those that were involved in the last negotiations will be again.

Please join me in showing up at the meeting and letting the board know that the IEA doesn’t run Glen Ellyn.

Jeff Cooper

Glen Ellyn