Most county school contract negotiations ‘cordial’

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September 6, 2010

BY MIKE HELENTHAL Commercial-News The Commercial-News Mon Sep 06, 2010, 03:00 AM CDT

DANVILLE — The communication gap that exists between Danville teachers and administrators hasn’t extended to Vermilion County’s other school districts.

“From what I’ve been hearing,” said Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Metzen, “most (school negotiations in the county) have been cordial. Both sides usually work it out.”

But that now-cordial relationship may be put to the test during the next two years as several districts come to the end of their teachers’ contracts and begin bargaining new ones.

Metzen said the crisis-level financial state of Illinois has created a “sea change” in how local education is financed — something that will play out as teachers and administrators grapple over concepts of “fair” and “equitable.”

“There is no crystal ball telling us how long we’re going to be in this financial funk,” he said. “Some of them are buying time until it’s not so murky.”

In Vermilion County, the Vermilion Association of Special Education is the only local education unit outside of District 118 without a contract, though a tentative pact has already been reached.

All of the county’s other eligible school districts have settled, and most teachers have received some level of salary increase and conceded something to get it.

VASE administrators and the employees’ union have reached a tentative agreement that is expected to be finalized soon, according to Director Barb Moore.

“It’s been positive," said of negotiations, which were tabled during the summer and picked up again just before the start of the school year. “Both sides have been willing to step back to look for an understanding.”

If a deal is reached, teachers would receive regular step adjustments and a 1.5 percent raise over the next year.

Currently the two sides are planning to meet again, following language confusion over whether non-certified staffers will be included in the new deal.

Across the county, Oakwood, Georgetown-Ridge Farm and Jamaica have settled their teachers’ contracts. Bismarck-Henning has a year left on its three-year deal, and the Westville, Armstrong, Catlin, Hoopeston, Potomac and Rossville districts are either not bargaining or preparing to bargain in the upcoming year.

--In Oakwood, teachers were given a “flat” 2.75 percent raise earlier this year, inclusive of steps.

--At Georgetown-Ridge Farm, teachers and administrators reached a 3-year-deal that gives raises of 3 percent, 2 percent and 3 percent.

--In Jamaica, the settlement was for a step and a half-percent increase.

In Danville, teachers have threatened to go on strike if a third meeting Tuesday with the District 118 bargaining team and a federal mediator does not yield results or the promise of more discussion.

DEA leaders can set a strike date without a membership vote after teachers voted overwhelmingly in August to file “intent to strike” notification. The union is eligible to set a strike date as early as Tuesday.

The two sides have been at an impasse since negotiations started in June, the major sticking point centering on salaries and language issues. The Danville Education Association has rejected a district request for an across-the-board freeze, which the district says is needed as it confronts uncertain and stretched funding.

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Most county school contract negotiations ‘cordial’

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