109 Teachers Declare Impasse

An impasse was declared today by the in its ongoing contract talks with , according to union president Dennis Jensen.

“The Deerfield Education Association today officially declared Impasse in regard to the ongoing contract negotiations with the Deerfield Public School District 109 Board of Education by notifying the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board,” Jensen said in a prepared statement.

This action came session between the two sides and in which 88 of 119 respondents indicated they hoped the teachers would call an impasse.

The teachers have been working on an expired contract since August and have been in mediation with the District since October.

Now that an impasse has been declared, both the union and the District have seven days to submit their final offer to the mediator, according to Jensen. The mediator is then required to make both positions public within another week.

After the mediator has disclosed the terms of both the teachers and the District, the teachers must wait another 14 days before striking. They may or may not strike at that time.

District 109 School Board President Ellen London is hopeful the final proposition the Board makes March 15 will help attain a deal.

"The Board is confident that our final proposal is one that focuses on the needs of students, is respectful to staff and is fiscally responsible to our community," London said.

Patch will keep you up to date as events progress.