With Dist. 23 teacher strike looming, park districts step up
More than 1,500 Northwest suburban students may be out of the classroom starting Wednesday if teachers in Prospect Heights Elementary School District 23 go on strike as promised.
The District 23 school board and the Prospect Heights Education Association, which represents 150 teachers, continued to negotiate Monday toward a new contract and have another session planned for today. But if the two sides can't reach a deal then, teachers say they will go on strike Wednesday morning.
"If this board does not begin to compromise it will leave us no choice but to have the first strike in District 23 history," a statement on the union's website said.
The two sides negotiated Saturday and Sunday, but "no significant progress" was made, according to the union.
The board and teachers remain "significantly far apart" on salary issues, Superintendent Deb Wilson said. She added that both sides are still hoping to avoid a strike.
"We deeply regret this inconvenience," school board President Mari-Lynn Peters wrote in a letter to parents. "We remain willing and available to continue negotiations in the hopes of working together for a contract without disruption to the educational process."
If teachers do strike, three local park districts say they will offer special programs giving students a place to go during the day.
Wheeling, Arlington Heights and Prospect Heights park districts plan supervised activities for students in kindergarten through fifth grade from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Registration is required on each park district's website, and the programs will cost $44 per child. Parents will be fully reimbursed if a strike does not happen.
"Children can enjoy a variety of games, crafts and activities while school is not in session," said Alisa Kapusinski, division manager of recreation programs with the Arlington Heights Park District. "Parents should send their children with a nut-free lunch and drink each day. Afternoon snacks will be provided."
"Depending on the length of the strike, we will add more activities as necessary," Kapusinski said.
District 23 educates students from portions of Prospect Heights, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect and Wheeling at three elementary schools and one middle school.