Grayslake District 46: Teachers union deal helps save programs

Some student programs that faced potential elimination for the next academic year because of budget problems at Grayslake Elementary District 46 will continue as a result of teachers union concessions, officials said.

To help bridge a $2.3 million gap projected for the 2010-11 academic year, the instructors have agreed to an average raise of 2.75 percent instead of the originally scheduled 4 percent hike.

Base salary and standard step increases account for the 2.75 percent average. With the concessions already approved by the Grayslake Federation of Teachers union members, the agreement will go before District 46 school board for official approval April 28.

District 46 Superintendent Ellen Correll said Friday the teachers' willingness to accept reduced raises will benefit students next year.

"We may have had to cut band, music, chorus, art. These were things we were looking at," Correll said.

District 46 teachers union President Diane Elfering said a recent vote was 226-52 in favor of accepting the smaller raise in the redone contract.

As part of the negotiations, the teachers' contract was extended by one year through the 2011-12 school year, with the previously expected 4 percent average raise, she said.

"We asked them to accept the package because we were worried about, if we didn't, what kind of things would be cut," Elfering said.

Pay freezes for District 46 administrators are part of a set of recommendations on how to fill the next school year's anticipated $2.3 million budget hole. An advisory financial task force of parents, administrators and teachers has been identifying ways to bolster the budget.

Expense reductions proposed for the 2010-11 academic year include professional development, media supplies and printing contracts. Also proposed are increases in registration fees and lunch prices.

In addition to the teachers, concessions were gained from the union representing custodians, secretaries and other noncertified employees. Correll said the contract revision includes a reduction in hours for some employees and freezing stipends paid for certain extra tasks.

Negotiations between the employee unions and District 46 officials began in February.

District 46's teachers are the latest in Lake County to agree to contract givebacks. In late March, Gurnee-based Warren Township High School's educators agreed to a one-year contract amendment to save 26 jobs that were considered at risk.