Naperville 203 contract talks continue; both sides pledge teachers will be in classrooms Aug. 14

As contract negotiations continue, Naperville Unit District 203 and union officials are assuring families that teachers will be in the classroom when students return Aug. 14.

Within a week, the district sent two notices to families regarding ongoing negotiations with the Naperville Unit Education Association.

In the first, sent July 24, the district advised families that the union had submitted a “posting” notice, requiring both sides to publicly post their latest offers through the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board.

In a second letter sent July 30, the district sent a notice confirming that teachers will be in the classroom on the first day of school.

“We continue to be encouraged by the progress being made, and we believe we are moving closer to a mutual agreement between the district and the NUEA,” District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges wrote in a message to parents. “Our focus is on finding a solution that both provides fair compensation for our educators and protects the financial sustainability of our school district.”

The district’s contract with the NEUA expired June 30.

On Monday evening, hundreds of teachers wore red and marched from Naperville Central High School to the District 203 administration center before the school board meeting.

“We want to start this school year off on the right foot: in the classrooms with our students,” NUEA President Ross Berkley said in a statement. “The board has a history of dragging out negotiations and letting them linger up to and even into the school year. We think that’s unfair to our students. They deserve their teachers to be solely focused on their education, not distracted by contract discussions.”

NEUA officials have asked for a 4.9% salary increase in the first year and 4.85% for the second year. The district is offering 2.2% and 1.8% respectively, Berkley said.

The union is proposing a 4.85% annual increase for both the third and fourth years. According to the union, the district wants the increases based, in part, on the consumer price index.

In a statement, Berkley said another issue in the negotiations is proposed changes to the school day.

Earlier this year, district officials proposed changes to the start and end times at all grade levels, along with other modifications to the school day. While the district hoped to implement the changes this fall, the plan was postponed until further details could be worked out.

“The long bargain is due in part to the board arriving at the table with proposals that are not well thought out or fully developed because of the proposed changes to the school day,” Berkley said. “The school district is not prepared to implement these changes. And honestly, our parents need to be a part of this conversation. There needs to be more discussion with the community about the proposed changes.”

He added the union “initiated the public posting process not because we want to go on strike, but because we want to be transparent with our community.”

The union represents 1,500 certified staff members, including teachers, counselors, psychologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists.

Berkley said bargaining sessions are scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 7, and Friday, Aug. 8.

A federal mediator has been aiding in negotiations, he said.

In late July, the union filed a “posting notice” with the district. The notice requires the district and union to post their latest offers publicly.

As of Monday afternoon, however, the notices have not been posted on the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board website.

Since February, union and district officials have met 18 times, Berkley said.