No progress in Barrington Unit District 220 contract talks

The first meeting between Barrington Unit District 220 and its teachers since both parties submitted their “last and final” offers to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board came and went with no real progress Friday evening.

District 220 spokesman Jeff Arnett said the two sides had a “very brief meeting” Friday evening, the first of two scheduled negotiation sessions. With no progress, only a meeting slated for Tuesday evening, Feb. 5, currently stands as the last chance to reach a deal before the possibility of a strike on Feb. 21.

“We’re hoping to reach a final deal Tuesday,” Arnett said.

The District 220 school board will host its regular meeting Monday night ahead of the negotiation session.

It’s possible both sides may set additional negotiation sessions.

The next key date following Tuesday will be Thursday, Feb. 7. If no agreement is reached by then, the public will get a chance to view the terms each side has laid out in their final offers when the state labor board publishes the details.