Kaneland, Geneva schools to start year without teacher contracts

The Geneva and Kaneland school districts start their school years this week without contracts with their teachers unions.

The Geneva contract expired Aug. 15. The Kaneland contract expired June 30.

In July, the Geneva district announced that a tentative agreement had been reached. The union would then take a ratification vote, followed by the school board.

A spokesman for the union declined to say if the ratification vote had taken place. According to the spokesman and Geneva Superintendent Kent Mutchler, any announcements will be made jointly.

In 2012, Geneva teachers nearly went on strike, as talks reached an impasse. An agreement was reached in mid-November.

Kaneland Superintendent Todd Leden said Saturday that talks are progressing, and that any announcement of a resolution would be made jointly by the district and the Kaneland Education Association.

KEA President Lori Shroka said the negotiation teams are working diligently. Like Leden, she declined to characterize how the talks are going.

In both districts, teachers will work under the terms of the expired contracts.