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Child care provider switch draws attention from some teachers in Hawthorn Elementary District 73

A change in day care providers for the coming school year at Hawthorn Elementary District 73 was met with disapproval by some teachers who say the new arrangement will amount to a pay cut because of higher costs.

There also was concern over the pending move of the day care from classrooms at Elementary North to a program operated by the Vernon Hills Park District at its Lakeview Fitness Center, about 1.5 miles away.

The school board this week voted 5-2 to award a three-year contract to the park district to operate before- and after-school programs and child day care for teachers and district staff members. The park district will replace the Afterschool Club, which has had a long-standing relationship with District 73.

Brenda Henricksen, a sixth-grade science teacher at Middle School North, told the board that on site, discounted day care can increase teacher retention and recruitment.

With the average District 73 employee making an average of $45,000, changing to the park district would equate to a 5 percent pay decrease for a parent of a young child and a 10 percent drop for a parent with two young children who use the service, she said.

She added that parents were comfortable with the staff and impressed with the level of care at the Afterschool Club and presented the board with a petition of support signed by about 280 nonadministrative employees. About 30 children use day care, which is housed in four classrooms at Elementary North.

"It's a very nice service to have it on campus, but no matter who got it (the contract), we would have it off campus because we need space," Superintendent Nick Brown said.

While the day care component for teachers is more expensive, the before- and after-school cost is less expensive, Brown said.

Information presented at the meeting showed the cost for a toddler would be $278 per week with the park district, compared to $225 per week for Afterschool. It also showed Afterschool's fees were well below market rate, while the park district was below or comparable to other day care services.

District 73 board members Louis Gatta and Ghita Mueller voted against the switch, noting there will be many changes coming next year with the district restructuring.

"This has been terribly conflicting," Gatta said. "Is it the right time to switch? It has nothing to do with these providers."

Jeff Fougerousse, executive director of the park district, said district staff members will be available at school functions to answer questions in advance of registration in April.

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