Q. What role do you play in the negotiations of teacher contracts?

“There are a number of administrators that are on the the board negotiation team. We work with the board throughout the process and a lot of what we do is informational in nature. We get information from the district to the board, whether it’s info they request, information the KEA requests. The district has a lot of information at our disposal. whether its teacher salaries, whether it’s any questions regarding salary or benefits. or any topic that of of the nature of the negotiations. We sort of act as sort of a conduit between the school board and the teachers association.”

Q. While neither side can publicize their offers, it was said at the community forum that the difference between the two offers is sub – 500,000 dollars. Why so much conflict over, relatively speaking, such a small amount of money?

“Well first off, I wouldn’t use the word conflict because i think the negotiations have been positive throughout. there hasn’t been anything negative said about one group to the other, so that’s something I’m appreciative for from both sides. I think the number that they posed (the 500,000 dollars), I think it’s part of the process, in any negotiation, you get to a point where both sides agree to a number of topics but when you get to salary and benefits, that’s when it gets a little lengthier and I guess a little more challenging. I think the next step for the board and the teachers is to sit down again, and there is another date scheduled which is december first, and that will be the starting point for when they talk.”

Q. Specific numbers aside, can the school afford to pay the teachers what they’re asking?

“That’s a tricky question that I can’t entirely answer because of where the negotiations are. What I will share is, the board’s current offer is something that the board feels they can afford, are willing to share, and is fair and appropriate, given the current financial condition of the state and the district.”

Q. How would you describe the current financial state of the district?

“I would say the district right now, due to some policies that were changed a few years ago, and the interest of the board to remain financially stable, they’ve done a lot of work to make sure they are, so I think right now, the district is in a strong financial position that allows for great programming for students and an opportunity to stay fiscally responsible while the state of Illinois is somewhat tenuous with what’s going on in terms of legislation.”

Q. Throughout the last four years, even amongst all the pay freezes and other financial choices, the board still increased the money in the Education Fund by 122%. Do you think that was in an effort to help financially stabilize the district?

“Right, the reason for the policy that was enacted to assist us to continue being financially responsible, is in fact to keep us financially stable.”