Dist. 220 enlists mediator for contract talks

The teachers union and board of education of Barrington Unit District 220 will enlist the services of a third-party mediator to help complete negotiations on an overdue teachers' contract.

The last three-year contract expired at midnight Monday night, though teachers for now intend to keep working under the terms of that contract as negotiations continue.

According to a joint statement from school board President Brian Battle and union President Melanie Collins, both parties are requesting assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which is provided at no cost to the district or union.

The joint statement says negotiations, which began last May have been constructive, but that there remain some issues to settle.

Both the union and school board representatives cite the current economy as a challenging factor in the negotiations.

The last contract was negotiated eight months in advance of its start date and increased salaries an average of just over 5 percent per year.

But financial woes caused the school board to lay off the equivalent of 13 full-time employees at the end of last school year. These jobs were intended to be divided among teachers, administrators and support staff.

Collins declined further comment beyond the joint statement Wednesday. Battle could not be reached for further comment Wednesday.