Suburban officials praise school reforms
SPRINGFIELD — Suburban officials praised lawmakers' approval of education reforms and acknowledge suburban schools would have some work to do to implement them.
The Illinois General Assembly this week sent legislation to Gov. Pat Quinn that would require districts to focus on teachers' performance, instead of seniority, when deciding who should be laid off.
The plan also would make it tougher for unions to strike and easier for districts to fire bad teachers.
Elgin Area District U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres said he appreciated that lawmakers included competing interests in negotiations over the reforms.
“Once it is signed by the governor, the heavy lifting begins,” Torres said. “Many processes will need to be reviewed and changed as we have all become accustomed to rehiring teachers based on seniority, not performance. It is a good problem to have.”
The reform effort was one that had the rare distinction of being a touchy topic that actually won bipartisan support in Springfield.
Republicans and Democrats both widely supported the reforms, including lawmakers in the suburbs from very different political viewpoints.
“These reforms will improve teacher quality, cut down on strikes and help ensure that the focus of education is on the students and not bureaucracy and special interests,” said Rep. Tom Morrison, a Palatine Republican and freshman lawmaker.
Similar praise came from Democrat Rep. Fred Crespo, a member of the House's Education Committee from Hoffman Estates.
“Identifying and retaining quality teachers is one of the most important factors in ensuring our children receive an education that will prepare them to succeed,” said Crespo.
Even though they often publicly clash over contract negotiations, union officials were on the same side as administrators on the reform efforts.
Steve Grossman, an Illinois Federation of Teachers leader in northern Cook County, said teachers' willingness to embrace the reforms shows they're reasonable and willing to negotiate.
“We have no interest in protecting failing teachers,” Grossman said.
Quinn has said he supports education reforms but his office hasn't said he'll sign the legislation.