McHenry County school district wants pension law changed

A McHenry County school district is looking to change a state law put in place to prevent educators from abusing the state's pension system.

That law sets a 6 percent cap on raises teachers and administrators can receive in their final years of service.

The cap is supposed to prevent school districts from inflating educators' pensions - which are based on the salary and benefits they receive in their final years in a district.

But officials in Harvard Unit District 50 say that law has had unintended consequences, creating a disincentive for veteran teachers to get more education and take on more responsibilities.

"If we're asking teachers to get more education, to take on extra duties, and you can't pay them for those extra duties, that's when we feel we have a problem," said Mark Stricker, secretary of the District 50 school board.

District 50 is hoping to work with the county's other school districts and state legislators to reexamine the law that caps salary and benefits for late-career educators.

But the district's efforts are likely to arouse opposition from legislators, residents and school board members who view the law as an important safeguard against inflated retirement packages - especially for retiring administrators who can collect six-figure pensions.

At Thursday night's meeting of the Huntley Unit District 158 school board, board member Larry Snow registered his skepticism of District 50's efforts.

"I'm not sure how it's in our district's best interests," Snow said. "It's just money that's taken away from education."

Stricker acknowledged the pension system was abused before the legislation was passed but said the law needs revision to make it more flexible.

"I can see why it was put in place," Stricker said. "There's still some inequities in the law."