Geneva district to keep school open if strike

The Geneva school district plans to keep its elementary schools, the high school and one middle school open if teachers go on strike, but it will not conduct classes.

Instead, it will offer age-appropriate activities. Bus service will be available, and a limited lunch menu will be offered.

Students will not be required or expected to attend, according to the statement the district released Wednesday evening.

The Geneva Education Association has given notice of an intent to strike. The first day such a strike could legally happen is Nov. 9. Teachers have been working under the terms of a contract that expired Aug. 15.

“In recognition of the hardship and disruption that a strike will pose for parents, the (school) board is committed to providing District 304 parents a safe setting for their children during a strike,” the statement said.

Mid-Valley Special Education co-operative classes will still be held, and high school students who attend classes at the Fox Valley Career Center will be expected to attend those. The Geneva Park District's preschool program, Friendship Station, will also continue to operate; it is located in at Geneva Middle School South.

Specific entrances will be designated at each building for students to avoid picketing teachers.

The district requests that interested parents sign their children up, if possible by 4 p.m. Nov. 5. They should do so by calling (630) 463-3088.