CATLIN —
Both sides of the negotiating table in Catlin schools went into a second meeting Thursday night with a federal mediator hopeful, but an agreement has not yet been reached.
Both Superintendent Gary Lewis and Catlin Faculty Organization president Lezlie Holman said some progress toward an agreement was made Thursday. The federally mediated meeting between the district and CFO negotiating teams lasted around four hours.
Another negotiating session is expected to be set soon, but one has not yet been scheduled.
Holman said under instruction of the mediator, further comment isn’t allowed at this time. Lewis also had no other comment.
Teachers in the Catlin district have been working without a contract since their last one-year contract expired June 30. Negotiating teams have now met six times, twice with a federal mediator to try to reach an agreement between teachers and the board of education.
On the negotiating table are a myriad of language items including a new teacher evaluation system, building and materials issues, computer access and the development of a committee to help fund ideas in the district both financially and intellectually to help broaden access for students.
Also is the issue of salaries for teachers, who are calling for an overhaul of their salary schedule. They say it currently inhibits veteran and more educated teachers from staying in the district, which leads to a higher than normal turnover rate and lower paid teachers overall.
Lewis has said the board hopes for a multi-year contract with teachers. They had recently offered teachers a 1.75 percent salary increase for each year of a three-year contract during the first mediated meeting.
Like other area districts, Catlin is feeling financial strain. The education fund, which is 80 percent of district spending, pays for teacher salaries and almost anything to do with educating the student, took a $300,000 hit last fiscal year, eating away at reserves. Lewis has projected more than $500,000 will be lost in that fund alone during the current budget that runs through the end of June, leaving just $360,000 left as reserves in that fund.
Teachers passed an intent-to-strike vote at the end of October, giving them the option to strike once other criteria are met. Holman said Thursday that the absolute earliest that could happen is Dec. 3, since they are now in the process of meeting with a federal mediator.
However, she said their desire is not to strike, but to settle a fair contract.
Local News
Catlin agreement remains elusive
- Local News
-
-
Fire hits Hoopeston tire business
Firefighters from at least five departments battle a blaze today at a tire business on Hoopeston's south side. Areas around the scene were evacuated due to the dense smoke the fire created. No injuries had been reported as of 7:30 a.m.
-
Fire consumes large tire business
Black smoke blotted out the morning sky for many Hoopeston residents as a large fire consumed a local tire business along Illinois Route 9.
-
Photo Options
The closing of the photo studio inside of Sears helped Martinsville photographer Charlie Reeves finalize his decision about opening a photography studio inside the Village Mall.
-
Panel OKs Manor buyer
Vermilion County Board Nursing Home Committee members made their choice Tuesday for the next owner of Vermilion Manor Nursing Home.
-
Youths, violence top talk at meeting
There’s been too many shootings lately and some local pastors and others want to know what can be done to rid the community of the problems.
-
Program proves successful
Adam McHone recently graduated from Attica High School, but his journey to this point has not been an easy one.
-
Hoopeston council goes after unpaid bills
City council members unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday allowing Mayor Bill Crusinberry to sign an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Office of the Comptroller to sign a Debt Recovery Program resolution with the state to collect unpaid debts.
- Starlite Ball set for Wednesday
- Police, Fire Reports
- Garden contest deadline moves to June 23
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama: 'Lives Have Been Saved' by NSA Programs
Obama: Friction in Afghan Talks No Surprise
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: Massive Protests Fill Brazilian Streets
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Rihanna Hits Fan With Microphone During UK Concert
Miami Heat Wins in Overtime
Fists, chairs fly in restaurant brawl
Journalist Michael Hastings Dies in Fiery Hollywood Crash
Hairy Leg Stockings Aim to Deflect Male Attention
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
