In an effort to help answer parents’ questions in advance of a possible teachers’ strike, District 60 has released these frequently asked questions. This list will continue to be updated as information becomes known. What’s the situation? Why are the teacher’s striking? Dating back to 2005, the District suffered continuous financial difficulties. Beginning in 2006, the current administration improved District 60’s financial picture through a variety of means such as changes to transportation, food services, reduction of contract expenses and leveraging the stimulus program. The teachers believe that all of these improvements were implemented at their expense and they have requested a new contract inclusive of salary increases and maintenance of board-paid single payer insurance benefits. Why can’t the District meet the teacher’s requests? The economic requests of the teachers’ union – which include nearly $12 million in salary increases over two years – are high and would limit the District’s fiscal solvency. It would make it difficult to manage the District and provide all of the educational programs and services our students need throughout the remainder of this year and next. When will the strike occur? The Teachers’ Union announced that they will strike on October 2 if no agreement is reached. They are not bound to this date and could strike any day after September 29. How long have negotiations been taking place? Negotiations began in June 2014, and are ongoing. The pace of the negotiation has been impacted negatively due to limited availability of the mediator. The next negotiation session between the Union and District will be conducted by a mediator on Thursday, September 25. Will schools be open during a strike? The District wants a resolution that avoids disruption of the education of our children, and unfortunately if a strike does move forward Waukegan schools will have to close. What are some options parents will have a strike occurs and schools are closed? We have been working closely with parents to make sure they have enough time to coordinate alternate childcare options. In addition, we are working with local organizations to offer safe, reasonably priced childcare. The Waukegan Park District will offer childcare from 7a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for $30 a day should the strike occur. This will include field trips and meals. The Boys and Girls Club is also offering programming for members. Parents can contact those organizations for further information. We are also working with other local organizations on similar arrangements. Will missed school days have to be made up in the summer? The District will wait to determine plans for make-up days until the number of missed instruction days is known. We will work with the State Board of Education and the Regional Office of Education to determine the proper remedy if teachers do strike. Will a strike impact high school and middle school graduation dates? The impact is not yet known. The District will work with the State Board of Education and the Regional Office of Education to determine if graduation dates will be affected. What about after-school activities? All before- and after-school activities, except for high school athletics, are canceled during a strike. This includes clubs, plays, musicals, rehearsals, tutoring and enrichment classes. WHS athletic competitions will be canceled, but some coaches may choose to hold practices. Students should contact their coaches for information. Is hiring substitute teachers an option? We have a pool of less than 200 substitute teachers available to the District so hiring 1,200 substitute teachers is not possible. We are committed to resolving the dispute with our teachers. Can parents or community members volunteer at schools during a strike? While the District appreciates the community’s desire to assist during the strike, due to safety concerns, parents and community members will not be allowed to volunteer since schools will be closed. How will the community be updated on strike developments? The District will continuously update its website, wps60.org with the newest strike developments and also provide updates on Twitter and Facebook. The District will also utilize its Global Connect phone system to call parents and staff with daily developments. Parents should make sure their contact information is up-to-date in the district system. Strike updates will also be posted on social media, and will be submitted to traditional media, such as local newspapers, radio stations and television stations. Will striking teachers be paid? No. In the event of a strike, no teachers will be paid for days they are not working. How long do you anticipate the strike lasting? We can’t know for sure. We will continue doing all we can to work with the Union to find a mutually-beneficial solution. What is the District doing to avert the strike? The District remains dedicated to the federal mediation process, and will continue to be open-minded and pragmatic in dealing with the Union in hopes of averting the strike. What if my child attends a school outside of the District (i.e., Lake County Tech Campus, Private Day Placement, Ombudsman Plus, Extension, Alternative School)? School at these facilities will proceed as scheduled. Students who attend a facility outside of the District will continue to receive transportation to attend school daily. Will transportation still be provided to parochial students? Yes, the District’s contracted bus company will continue to transport parochial students to schools that have contracted with the District.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 21:33:33 +0000
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