Support staff in Palatine District 15 deserve decent contract

The Support Staff personnel of Palatine Township Elementary District 15 are dedicated professionals who put in a hard day's work to ensure the best education for all children. Their contract was up June 30, and negotiations have broken down due to District 15's arrogance and pettiness.

They're not asking for the moon, just a livable salary and decent benefits. They work for "chump change" salaries that most of the district's taxpayers wouldn't accept, but taxpayers complain and expect everything for nothing.

Despite many having degrees and some having advanced degrees, they are paid way below market value. Many are forced to work less than 30 hours to deny them "any" benefits at all. They are the Program Assistants, secretaries, clerical workers, Food Staff, nurses, etc. of District 15. They coordinate the entire educational experience and ensure everything runs smoothly throughout the day.

Each day they encounter difficult conditions. Every school is a certified flu factory with widespread exposure to all childhood maladies. Often, they are dealing with discipline problems from recalcitrant and gang affiliated students.

They fulfill many teacher responsibilities, but they are not commensurately paid. The work of the food staff, clericals, secretaries, nurses is obvious. They all share the additional burden of dealing with the parents and the public.

They encounter numerous personalities with many idiosyncratic tendencies. They could get compensated better in the private sector, but their dedication lies in the educational field. In many ways, they are continuously getting the short end of the stick.

I doubt many taxpayers who complain would want to spend a month, or year, let alone a day in their shoes. District 15 already has a severe shortage of substitute teachers. Treat the Support Staff workers fairly and honestly. Otherwise, I believe the district will soon lose some excellent people.

Tony Novak

Arlington Heights