Huntley teachers return to work without contract
Teachers reported to work today for the first day of class in Huntley Unit District 158 -- despite the lingering threat of a strike.
The District 158 school board and the teachers union were unable to reach a deal after three hours of negotiations Sunday morning.
The board is still considering the union's proposal, which would raise teacher compensation by at least 6 percent, 7 percent and 8 percent in years one, two and three, respectively.
The board's latest offer would give most teachers 5.25-percent pay raises in the first year; after that, pay would go up with the Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation, plus an additional 0.65 percent.
Union Co-President Julie Hunter said Sunday the union will give the community 48 hours' notice if teachers decide to strike.
District 158 educators said it was business as usual today, despite the unresolved contract.
"We're going on with our day and our same routines," said Jennifer Zayas, principal of Mackeben Elementary School in Algonquin. "We're going on as usual."
Zayas didn't report any first-day issues with busing at her school, which stayed at about 700 students this year.
"We were able to start the day on time," she said.
Students in the first through 12th grades started school today. Kindergartners start Tuesday and Thursday.
"So far, we've had a great start to the school year," Zayas said. "The kids are really excited."
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>Past Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=229778">Evidence mixed on Dist. 158 salaries <span class="date">[8/24/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=229309">District 158 teachers authorize strike <span class="date">[8/21/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=229464">District 158 teachers back at work <span class="date">[8/22/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=228778">Huntley teachers reject 'last, best' offer <span class="date">[8/19/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=228517">District 158 offers final deal to teachers' union <span class="date">[8/19/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=227372">Huntley schools, teachers nearer to deal <span class="date">[8/13/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=227099">Huntley teachers file strike notice <span class="date">[8/12/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=223563">District 158 says teachers want 30 percent raise in 3 years <span class="date">[7/26/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=223273">District 158 teachers union won't release new proposal <span class="date">[7/25/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=222681">Union accuses District 158 of 'running up surpluses' <span class="date">[7/23/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=222379">New proposal would still put District 158 in red, officials say <span class="date">[7/22/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=221793">Teachers union says proposal affordable <span class="date">[7/18/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>