Belvidere teachers notify board of strike intent

BELVIDERE - A teachers union has notified a Boone County school district of its members' intent to strike after they declared an impasse in contract negotiations.

The Belvidere teachers union delivered a notice of intent to Superintendent Michael Houselog on Thursday following a union vote Wednesday. About 98 percent of teachers voted in favor of the notice, with 436 of 530 union members participating.

The notice gives teachers the option to strike in four weeks if the union and district haven't reached a contract agreement.

The union will resume negotiations with the district next Tuesday, the union president said. Another mediated negotiation session is scheduled for early October.

The union's notice won't change the school board's actions, Houselog said before the union's declaration. Negotiations are slow but "very friendly," he said.

Union members have been working without a contract since Aug. 15.