Settlement reached in District 158 teachers strike

Pack your bags and count your lunch money: schools in Huntley Unit District 158 will be open today, the district announced Wednesday morning.

The school board and the district's teachers union reached a deal on a new contract around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, ending the teacher strike that began Monday.

Schools were closed for a third day Wednesday even though teachers were not on strike. The district decided around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night to close school, about nine hours before the sides were able to reach an agreement.

"The contract is fair to both sides," board Vice President Tony Quagliano said. "You have give and take, and I think the overall compensation level is commensurate with rewarding our teachers and working within our financial constraints."

Under the deal, teacher compensation will go up at least 5.25 percent each year for three years, Quagliano said.

Teacher pay will rise 5.25 percent in the first year and 3.75 percent in years two and three. District contributions to teachers' pensions will increase 1.25 percentage points in years two and three.

The board had to accept increases in teachers' pension benefits to reach a deal and reopen schools, board member Larry Snow said.

"The board was able to have the teachers not be on strike," Snow said.

Board members previously said they would only accept pension increases if teachers agreed to a four-year contract, instead of the three-year deal that was reached.

"We do feel that the agreement that was reached is fair to the community and the teachers," union spokeswoman Britt Crowe said. "I think both sides made gains and concessions, and both sides are happy."

Board members and union leaders said other highlights of the deal include:

• A work year for teachers of 182 days, one less than the existing year.

• Increases in extracurricular stipends of 7 percent in year one, 5 percent in year two and 6 percent in year three.

• Increases in family health insurance of more than 10 percent in year one and more than 5.5 percent in years two and three.

The board plans to post the agreement for public review by Friday, with the board expected to vote on the deal Monday or Tuesday, Quagliano said.

The union membership is scheduled to vote on the agreement tonight , Crowe said.

School activities, which were canceled during the two-day walkout, will resume today.

Athletes were back on the practice fields Wednesday after the strike forced the district to cancel seven varsity sporting events, Huntley High School Athletic Director Bruce Blumer said.

The strike threatened to disrupt the undefeated season of the varsity football squad. Huntley High School would have had to forfeit Friday's game against Jacobs if the strike had continued on Friday, Blumer said.

The varsity game is Jacobs' homecoming game, and the Algonquin high school hoped to hold a soccer match Friday night if the football game was canceled.

"I'm elated that it's over and we can get the kids back in school and back in activities," Blumer said.

Parents, many of whom had to hire babysitters or enlist friends and family to watch their kids during the strike, said they were glad their kids will be back in school.

"It's a better day than yesterday knowing the strike is settled," said Lake in the Hills resident Don Drzal, father of three children in district schools. "I honestly expected it to go a little longer. I'm glad I was wrong."

The board and the Huntley Education Association reached the tentative agreement after meeting for more than 13 hours Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The sides met Monday night and for more than 40 hours during the weekend.

Teachers walked out Monday after the sides were unable to reach a deal Sunday night.

The board and the union started meeting in February and were in federal mediation since June.

Teachers have been working without a contract since Aug. 21. Classes started Aug. 25.