Kaneland teachers choose not to renegotiate

The Kaneland teachers union decided it will not renegotiate its contract to help offset a projected deficit in the school district.

The school board asked the union to return to the bargaining table, looking for ways to offset what is projected to be at least a $2.5 million budget deficit to start the 2010-2011 fiscal year, which begins in July.

The teachers are in the second of a three-year contract. In August they are scheduled for a 5.6 percent salary increase.

The 290-member union was under no legal obligation to reconsider its contract. The board made the request three months ago, and teachers voted recently.

In a prepared statement Monday, union negotiator Lynn McHenry indicated the union was concerned about teachers' pay relative to surrounding districts, saying a first-year teacher's pay ranked eighth out of ninth in the area. A first-year teacher is slated to make $36,650 this fall. It also noted that no other local districts have asked their teachers to reopen contracts, though school districts in Lake Zurich and Maine Township did.

The union believes not raising teachers' pay will hamper the district's ability to attract good teachers.

" If the issue were as simple as 'Taking less money so that students can have more programs,' the KEA would have answered the board's request three months ago with an answer of, 'Yes we'll take less money for the good of the kids.' But this issue has been multifaceted from the beginning," according to the statement.

The statement noted the district faced financial difficulties in the 1990s and early 2000s and considered cutting all extracurriculars. Those were saved when voters agreed to increase the operating taxes.

Kaneland school officials have said they do not intend to ask the community for more tax money.

The teachers' contract was approved 4-3 in October 2008. At least two of the opposing trustees said they thought the raises were unaffordable due to the deepening economic crisis at the time.

School officials have proposed a variety of cuts to next year's budget, including eliminating some high school clubs, some assistant sports coaches, the fifth grade's outdoor education trip, and not hiring or replacing teachers even if enrollment increases. Some of the administrative staff have had their pay frozen, and those with contracts are being asked to consider doing so.

The school board will vote on proposed cuts March 8. The budget must be adopted by Sept. 30.