District 158 offers final deal to teachers' union

Huntley Unit District 158 presented its final contract proposal early Monday morning to the district's teachers union, just days before the start of a new school year that could be interrupted if an agreement is not reached.

Huntley Education Association members are expected to vote on the latest four-year contract proposal at 1 p.m. today in the Huntley High School auditorium.

The offer includes a shorter school year, increased salaries and health insurance benefits, as well as an option to reward outstanding teachers.

School board member Larry Snow, the district's chief negotiator, called the proposal the board's "best, last and final offer."

"The board believes this is a good, strong offer," said Snow of the proposal that was offered at 1:30 a.m. Monday.

Under the proposal, the school year is reduced from 183 days to 182 days and

the length of the school day will remain at 7 hours and 45 minutes. In its initial contract, the school board had proposed increasing the school day to 8 hours.

In the first year of the contract, the average salary increase would be 5.43 percent, Snow said. Half of the district's teachers would see 5.25-percent increases in the first year of the contract, and 70 percent would receive increases of at least 5 percent.

The board also included the option of paying up to a $500 honorarium per year, per teacher, rewarding outstanding teacher performance.

Snow said previous contracts did not offer such rewards.

Negotiations began in February, and the current contract expired June 30. Last Monday, the teachers union filed a 10-day intent-to strike notice, saying the policy that states the district should have year-end fund balances equal to 25 percent of operating expenses would take money away from teachers.

The district says the issue is outside the scope of contract negotiations.

Both sides say a deal should be reached before school starts on Aug. 25.

"We are hopeful that a contract can be resolved," said union co-president Julie Hunter, who added a strike is contingent upon the union members' acceptance or rejection of the proposal.