District 158, teachers to meet again

If you haven't been reading much about teacher contract negotiations in Huntley Unit District 158 this week, that's because there's not much going on, union and district officials say.

After a late blitz to get a contract in place by Aug. 25 - the first day of school - the pace of negotiations seems to have slowed.

The school board and the union leadership last met Aug. 24. Their next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 3.

This stands in contrast to just a couple of weeks ago, when the district and the union met at least three times between Aug. 11 and Aug. 15.

Representatives of both sides noted the delay - and seemed to be at a loss to explain it.

"That would be a good question," union Co-President Julie Hunter said. "It's not from our side."

But district officials said it wasn't them, either.

"I don't know," board member Larry Snow said. "You'd have to ask them."

Whatever the reason, both sides agreed the delay is hurting the district and its teachers.

"What the district loses is everybody's attention and focus on educating the kids," board Vice President Tony Quagliano said.

As long as teachers are without a contract, they're working under the terms of the deal that expired June 30, Hunter pointed out.

"We're not going to let a week and a half go by until the next time," Hunter said.

The union co-president said she's still waiting for a response to union's latest offer, which would raise teacher compensation by at least 6 percent, 7 percent and 8 percent in years one, two and three, respectively.

Snow said the district is preparing a response to the union's proposal.

Board members said they're willing to negotiate individual contract items but won't exceed $1.6 million in the first year - the amount they said their latest proposal would cost and the most they said they can afford without running a deficit.

"What should be going on now is various horse trading of pieces," Quagliano said.

Hunter said the union is willing to negotiate but asserted its latest offer is affordable.

"The union feels that we will not put the district into deficit spending with our proposals," Hunter said.

But can the union back up its claim?

"We have no comment," Hunter said.

Snow said the union needs to prove its assertion.

"They have no comment on the deficit?" he said. "You're welcome to quote her."