District 158 teachers strike, disputes continue

Schools in Huntley Unit District 158 will be closed for a second day Tuesday, the district announced shortly after 9 p.m. Monday.

Teachers will still be on strike after the school board and the teachers union failed to reach a deal after meeting for more than four hours Monday.

The board said it would notify parents Tuesday evening whether schools will be open Wednesday by instant alert and on the district's Web site.

Another meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Despite not reaching a deal, the sides were able to agree on five compensation items Monday, according to a news release from the district.

The union made good on its strike threat Monday, shutting down schools and picketing the district's three campuses.

The strike came after the district's Board of Education and the union failed to reach a deal early Monday morning after negotiating for more than 40 hours during the weekend.

"Huntley teachers are very disappointed to have been forced to go on strike by the school board," a Monday news release from the union said. "Our negotiating team is still seeking reasonable work hours and a salary and benefits package that is equitable and comparable to those found in neighboring districts."

But the board said it made major concessions during the weekend, including a three-year, 17.8-percent pay raise. It blamed the union for holding up an agreement.

"The board is making concessions, important concessions to the teachers," board member Larry Snow said Monday. "At the last minute, they threw monkey wrenches into reaching an agreement."

But the union said in a Monday release the board was misrepresenting its offer, which would have also increased contributions to teachers' pensions.

"While (District) 158 portrays its latest offer as generous, the district is really offering only a minimal increase that is not equitable or comparable to what teachers in neighboring districts receive," the release stated.

Despite the lack of a deal, the sides made considerable progress during the weekend, reaching agreement on 47 of 59 contract items, including health insurance, according to the board.

But all that work may be in jeopardy now that teachers are on strike, Snow said.

"Now, it becomes the time-consuming process to revisit what has already been resolved," Snow said. "It really is a step backward."

About 50 teachers and supporters wearing green Huntley Education Association T-shirts picketed Monday morning outside District 158's Algonquin campus.

The picket was mostly quiet: no chants, no cheers. A constant stream of motorists honked their horns, presumably in support of the teachers, as they passed the pickets. The only visible sign of protest came from a man who displayed a single finger as he drove by.

The driver of a Pepsi truck making a delivery to the campus honked and turned around when he saw the pickets.

There were no pickets in front of the district administration building, and it appeared teachers stayed off district property.

Most signs the teachers held were generic, but a few were homemade, including one that stated: "If you can read this, thank a teacher."

None of the teachers would talk to reporters, saying they were not allowed to speak to the media.

For the time being, all school activities have been canceled, including all sports practices and games.

Many District 158 students were enjoying their day off Monday, riding bikes and skateboarding past picket lines and empty school parking lots.

"I don't want to be out of school too long because that's a lot of work to make up," said 14-year-old Kyle Kelley, an eighth-grader at Marlowe Middle School. But it wasn't all bad: "It gives us a break, a lot more time to skate."

Parents, some of whom had to find babysitters and watch their neighbors' kids, expressed concern about the instruction their kids are missing because of the strike.

"If this goes on for much longer, I need to make arrangements to do something - to keep the learning fresh," said Huntley resident Erin Anderson, who has two daughters in District 158 schools. "I can see it being a tremendous problem to parents with young children."

Contract talks began in February, and the sides have been meeting with federal mediators since June.

Check dailyherald.com throughout the night for updates.

Strike: All school activities have been canceled for now

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