Effort to change D15 contract fails

The terms of the Palatine Township Elementary District 15 teachers union's three-year employment contract won't change.

In a Thursday morning robocall to teachers, Classroom Teachers' Council President Lisa Nuss said representatives from both the union and board of education negotiated for two weeks before reaching the mutual decision to let the current agreement continue until its expiration Aug. 31, 2012.

The district later confirmed the development in a joint news release by the board and CTC.

“Both parties acknowledge that each made genuine and meaningful proposals,” it stated. “However, the parties were unable to reach an agreement at this time.”

The release went on to say that the parties both hope to continue to build a positive working relationship as they look ahead to future negotiations.

In March, the board unanimously agreed to approach the union about reopening its contract, to which Nuss told the Daily Herald that the “CTC is willing to respectfully meet” with Superintendent Scott Thompson and board representatives.

Five-year projections on the District 15 website show that despite decreasing enrollment, a currently healthy $55.5 million reserve fund will drop to $5.2 million in 2015-16.

The current contract calls for salary raises of 0.75, 1.19 and 1.39 percent on top of step and lane increases.

Some school board members have said that because salaries and benefits make up about 80 percent of the budget and teachers by far comprise the largest employment group, no significant financial reform will take place until their compensation is addressed.

That sentiment was especially true of new member Scott Herr, who created numerous financial breakdowns while campaigning for his seat. He was one of three members appointed to represent the board during the meetings.

Herr declined to comment Thursday, saying the joint news release was a good reflection of discussions that took place.

Nuss also declined to expand beyond the joint statement, other than to emphasize that the decision was mutual. She said the parties had “productive conversations” and added that the robocall was a way to let the union membership know about the agreement first.