Teachers in have been working on an expired contract since August and have been picketing outside the administration office each weekday afternoon since Friday letting people know they are not happy with their situation.
Teachers of the Deerfield Education Association union have been negotiating with a team of administrators and School Board members through a federal mediator in hopes of reaching an agreement.
Though both sides are hopeful mediation sessions Monday and Dec. 14 will bring the teachers and administration closer together if not to a settlement, union President has not ruled out a strike. Jensen teaches social studies at Caruso Middle School.
“We took a vote to see if our members would support informational picketing and a possible strike,” Jensen said. “They supported both overwhelmingly,” he added while stressing they were nowhere near taking a strike vote or authorizing one.
School Board President has lived in Deerfield 17 years and been a member of the board for the last 11. In her memory there has never been a strike. Negotiations have required the assistance of a mediator for two of the three contracts arranged during her tenure. She too is hopeful.
“Can we settle this in as short a time as possible,” London said? “I would hope so. While the teachers charted a list of grievances, London would not comment. “I’m not going to get into any issue,” she said. “I’m not going to negotiate in public.”
While both sides agree compensation should be fair, the teachers are also concerned about working conditions, classroom environments and health insurance benefits. A 30 percent reduction of students classified as needing special education is a particular worry.
“They didn’t go away,” Kipling fourth grade teacher Amy Karasick said referring to children who previously received special attention. “They’re in the regular classrooms. This affects everyone in the classroom.”
Jenson is also upset with an effort to increase health insurance costs for teachers that were covered in the past. “They want to double, triple and quadruple the cost of co-pays,” he said.
While teachers contend district business manager Greg Himebaugh has said District 109 has been in solid financial shape for the last seven years, they do not understand why the administration is not more generous with its offers.
London will not comment on any specific issues. She said she must balance the concerns of Deerfield’s citizens with the teachers’ needs. “We have to be fiscally responsible to the taxpayers and at the same be fair with faculty and staff,” she said.
DeerfieldResident- I completely understand and agree with you, but at the same time this is something Deerfield Resident's can do something when it comes to our teachers. I'm not saying they should be lowered, but it's hard enough without health care costs being raised. I know you said in your last post that you no longer want to support the teachers because of the position we are all in due to the economy, but I don't think giving up will make anything better. When people are in a position to help others get what anyone would deserve and want I would hope everyone would support that.
Deerfield parents are amongst the most concerned and involved of any most of us have ever seen. They care incredibly about the care and education of our children and are generally willing to volunteer and share in the process in any way needed. I believe it is right and should be expected that the board and teachers share their points of concern and contention with the community. The board is elected to represent the residents of the district - we need to know if you are representing us properly. What changes are you proposing or opposed to? The public's views on what the teachers are looking for in negotiations are all across the board – teachers, it would be helpful if we could hear what you need to happen in order to feel you are being treated fairly and just as importantly what needs to happen as a result of these negotiations to make sure our children – all of our children – are receiving the education and services District 109 children deserve. My three children are well gone from District 109; the youngest is a junior at DHS. My two oldest, who both have special needs are experiencing successful young adult lives thanks in great part to the excellent services they received while at South Park and Caruso. I trust those services are still as excellent or are perhaps even better now – I would like to hear what the board and teachers have to say.
It seems some of these changes are truly implemented without fully thinking the impact to the school community. The instsructional stress, on top of the economic issues, is leaving all with bad feelings. I just looked at the Budget in the tax levy discussion in the Board packet for last Monday and there seems to be plenty of dollars. I just don't think there is much good faith bargaining occurring between the parties.
Where does it say that teachers are exempt from that expense? There is just so much money coming in for the budget. Its not infinite. The board should tell the union that this is how much is in the drawer for salaries and benefits. You want more money to come out to cover the rise of health insurance, then there is no money for the salary increase next year. Simple. Times are tough. Get real. And dont use the emotional plea, "we are in this just for the kids". Partially yes, But is it really about your pockebook.
'what is best for children', yet their actions don't back up their words! If they really want what is best for kids why would they propose to increase class size, keep kids outside in weather below 15 degrees, cut SPED by 30%, and get rid of resource in the middle schools?! I wish the Board did care about all students (not just the gifted) and had some integrity.
Here is one of the docs: http://www.isbe.state.il.us/research/pdfs/teacher_salary_10-11.pdf
This is an affluent area that expects a lot from it's students. As parents, we have to hire private tutors to teach our children what should be taught at school.(especially for a kid requiring special services) And I will bet that many "gifted" students are also being tutored to supplement their studies. This district is focused on raising test scores, period. Look at all past school board meeting minutes. Writing the BOE is useless as they are locked in with teacher/admininstrator friends and will support each other no matter what. Time to clean house! I support DPS109 STUDENTS!
So, since they 109 teachers union is so concerned about IEP, why don't they belly up and make some real sacrifices to help eliminate the so-called "gutting" of IEP? They are just using the parents. I also must note that it is shameful to use children at these board meetings. Talk about human shields!
Mark Twain - Following the Equator, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar