Parents Voice Support for 109 Teachers

The ongoing negotiations between and the Deerfield Education Association teachers’ union were a hot topic when the School Board met at its regular meeting Monday according to a report from the District.

More than nine parents spoke to the Board supporting the teachers according to the report after Board President Ellen London discussed progress on the negotiations.

London explained she was because of the continuing discussions but said progress was being made. She promised to maintain productive negotiations and reach an agreement.

The parents who spoke wanted to know more about the Board’s stance on issues according to the report. Some were concerned about possible cuts to special education services mentioned by teachers on the picket line. Increased taxes were not a problem for some.

“If I need to pay more in taxes for my son, I will do that,” Neil Burmeister, the parent of a South Park student, said in the report.

Adreinne Schwarzbach Johnson thinks her child “has some of the most wonderful teachers around” according to the report.

An had 220 responses as of 7:30 p.m. Wednesday with 52 percent of respondents indicating they would support a strike by the teachers if a satisfactory settlement is not reached. 

Tax levy Discussed

In another matter, a first review of the 2011 property tax levy to fund the 2012-2013 school year was presented by Assistant Superintendent Greg Himebaugh. The levy covers approximately 93 percent of the District’s funding for a year according to the report.

Should the initial proposal be approved homeowners taxes would go up 0.98 percent for the District 109 portion of their bill according to Himmebaugh’s statement in the report. A public hearing will be held before a vote on the levy.