It seems Union leaders like Mike McGue's world where getting a 2.75% raise plus a bonus from federal stimulus money is considered a salary reduction.

If you want to know what Mr. McGue thinks of the taxpayers: http://www.lenniejarratt.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LCFT-President-article-Dec-20111.pdf

It will be interesting to read both offers. This is another transparency item that is good for the public.

One interesting note on timing. With a vote next week giving a 10 day notice, means the staff could go on strike with about a week left before the election. This would give the striking staff members the chance to go walk for Democrat, former PSRP Union rep and LCFT supported candidate Melinda Bush. I would hope that is not the case though.

Lennie; As a Tea Party hack, you always have to throw dirt at the Democrats. Nobody would strike to help a Candidate.
I was involved in a school district strike years ago and it was a hardship for those of us forced to strike. It was diificult for me as a parent in the same District. However, it was necessary,

The teachers already gave back money they didn't have to. Perhaps large Administrators salaries need to be cut. We will see both sides soon.

I understand that you are willing to cut teachers pay and benefits,; however, I want the brightest and best teachers for the children of all school districts and that costs money and benefits. teachers are not eligiable for social security and their state pensions that they pay into are all the retirment they get.

Boo hoo. educational terrorism. we are already taxed to the point of ridicule.

Salary does not commensurate competency, see private schools. Incidentally, Illinois' public school teachers' salary is in the top 10 nationally, however, Illinois is ranked below national average--barely in the top 30. In addition, the Illinois Department of Education has a website that allows a user to search for counties to examine educational statistics and Grayslake District 46 is on par with the rest of the state, meaning below national average. Furthermore, Lake County, specifically Grayslake, has the highest property taxes in the nation outside of New York and New Jersey. With such high revenue to spend on education, one should wonder why the public schools are not performing. Moreover, the district is sitting at a $1.2 million deficit. To further complicate matters, then we the taxpayers, read that Grayslake teachers want increased salaries during a major national economic downturn whereas the private sector is receiving pink slips or salary reductions and federal employees are receiving pay freezes. To add insult to injury, our military, who is waging two wars, is receiving a mere 1.6% pay raise, which is just below the rate of inflation--essentially a pay decrease.

Sources:
http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d11/tables/dt11_084.asp
http://webprod1.isbe.net/ereportcard/publicsite/getsearchcriteria.aspx
http://www.edweek.org/ew/qc/2012/16src.h31.html?intc=EW-QC12-TOC

We've had two teachers in the district, and they are both wonderful. I'm very sorry though, that they seem to have caught the strike fever that is going around. Mr. McGue seems to have graduated feom the Karen Lewis School of Spin that calls a 2.75% pay increase a pay reduction. It is less than 4%, yes, but it is a raise nonetheless. A raise that most of us in the private sector probably havent seen in years. They've already reported a $1.2 million budget deficit, and our property taxes are already ridiculous. While great teachers deserve to be paid what rock stars and baseball players make, in our reality, where do they expect to find this money in the red ink budget? Going on strike is not the way to resolve the problem when kids' educations are at stake.

I had a well-thought out comment about this and for some reason it was deleted from here. I am sincerely beginning to wonder if there is someone at Patch that has differing political views than me, because it is not the first time this has happened.

Very disappointing, especially when I am using this forum to try my best to share information with taxpayers here.

The teachers I have encountered in D46 have been wonderful to my child. However, I think that a combined 6.75 percent pay increase over a two-year period, which is the case if the above article is correct, is sufficient.

I will wait until the offers are posted and published until making further comment. Given that D46 faces a $1 million-plus deficit, it is troubling to me that the union is making demands when the money just isn't there. Much as I have in my own profession, teachers all chose their professions, supposedly first and foremost because they care about kids.

I just sincerely hope this isn't just about money, and I come to find there are other factors involved. People are hurting in this economy, and the taxpayers are the ones always bearing the burden.

If this article is correct, then since 2010-11, a teacher making a $50,000 salary has seen a pay increase of about $3,375 over the past two years. For many local families, that's an entire yearly property tax payment. Imagine if taxpayers were all given an extra $3,375 over a two-year period.

I do appreciate all the D46 teachers, though.

It troubles me that in this day and age especially, the unions seem to hold all the power. If they don't like an agreement, they simply strike, and there's nothing taxpayers can do about it. While I understand the position of those who strongly support unions, those unions were originally created because of a sever lack of human rights for workers in this country long ago.

The unions today wield so much power, what do we taxpayers have to counter-balance that? Nothing. I am just frustrated that this has come to light in a year when there is a major deficit. How many more people have to have their homes foreclosed because they cannot afford their taxes? How many seniors, who have lived in the same place for decades, have to leave their homes, because they cannot pay due to a limited income and the fact they themselves don't even have kids?

I found out just yesterday that my child scored in the top 1 percent nationally in both Avon's reading and math testing. And I am confident that is in large part because I personally have worked and read with him so much in his young life.

My point being, do I see a bonus for that? These teachers are evaluated by their students' test scores in part, and perhaps I should see a bonus since my actions as a parent could potentially be helping a teacher retain their job.

I am not serious, of course, but I hope my point is well-taken. So my message to the union is, perhaps you should sacrifice the same way us parents do.

I agree with Brian. Three years ago they agreed to 2.75% because that was necessary. What has happened to your home value over the past 3 years? Ours has continued to go down due to the market, foreclosures and major losses people had to take when they had to move because they could not afford to live here anymore or their job mandated they move. If your home values decrease the money that the schools will get will obviously also decrease because the percentage of your property taxes that goes to the school is based on the home value. Money in, money out. If no money is coming in, how can more go out? Now is the time the teacher need to stand together instead of being forced to strike and take a fresh look at what the unions are doing. Someone commented above they were forced to strike. Then vote against it and rally with your fellow workers to vote against it. The wages lost from striking cannot possibly make up for the 1.25% difference. The union is great when they are fighting a district that is doing wrong to their employees. We have never seen an economy like this in my life time, so we all need to think differently and work together. Although teachers deserve an increase this economy is the issue that is bleeding the district.

Editor's Note: D46 Board President Ray Millington's response (just sent ) to Patch's e-mail this morning seeking comment on this matter:

"I'm sorry but I can't comment at this time."
Ray

My only thought is maybe he knew there were negotiations going on but hadn't been informed by the union leader that they felt there was a disagreement? Maybe this is the first time the union has publicly stated they aren't happy? Just speculating, not sure.

What a mess. Sadly, neither Ellen nor Ray chose to stand up for the kids in the district. A simple "we're going to do what's best for our children" would have garnered WAY more respect than "no comment" and we're certainly not going to ever see the unions looking out for the best interests of the children in this district. Hopefully the teachers will see that they're being disrespected in the same manner as the kids. Easy for Ellen to say no comment though, I'm sure she's content with her $200,000+ salary...which by the way is a heck of a lot more than our nephews are currently making on the front teachers will see that they're being disrespected in the same manner as the kids. Easy for Ellen to say no comment though, I'm sure she's content with her $200,000+ salary...which by the way is a heck of a lot more than our nephews are currently making on the front line (away from their families) in Iraq.

Not sure why it doubled my text at the bottom. Maybe related to same issues you're having Tim?

According to the New Sun article yesterday:
"Pergander on Thursday declined to outline particulars of the union’s contract proposal, but said sticking points include salary and benefits."

Appears to be about money, as typical with the unions. This is sad, as it once again not about our kids and their education. I am sure there are raises in the agreement and even if it is another 2.75% that is more than any other private sector person is getting. I say the board needs to stick to their guns and not spend even more money that we don't have.

http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/15693587-418/district-46-teachers-set-to-take-strike-vote.html

Hopefully our board will follow Lake Forest's BOE, and I think us taxpayers need to support our board for a change like the Lake Forest tax payers did with theirs.

Per the article the Lake Forest teachers strike yielded:
The new contract calls for a 2.7 percent increase in the first year, 3.8 percent in the second, an estimated 3.6 percent in the third and 2.4 percent in the fourth year, depending on the Consumer Price Index.

The 150 teachers sought increases ranging from 4.7 percent to 6.5 percent and settled for nearly half as much

And the teachers are not getting paid for the 5 days of the strike, pretty much eats up some of that raise for the year. Hopefully our teachers will take note and not strike and resolve this amicably.
http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/15679998-418/lake-forest-high-school-raises-range-to-38.html

@Terri: If that is the case, and I have to wait until they decide to post the offer publicly, then that isn't something I support. If they suddenly are trying to cut their existing pay or benefits, I strongly disagree with that.

But again, I will wait until I hear and see something in writing before making that judgement. Somehow, I doubt that the board is asking teachers to take a pay cut as you claim, but if that is the case, then shame on them. If they are, then I will support them, because while I don't feel there is room for any significant raise in this economy, you can't pull the rug out from under people and ask them to take a pay cut.

I will have a more well-rounded opinion once they post their final offer on the state's website. Thanks.

Greedy teachers! I hope they don't expect any christmas gifts from my kids this year!

Amy, I have to agree with one point you make: Those at the administrative level need to stop being given raises for the time being, or the forseeable future.

Some of the same people on the D46 school board complaining there's not enough money are the same people who voted to give some of these people raises or such large contracts to begin with.

I am sincerely considering running for D46's school board next spring, simply because we need to start putting the children first again. And we need to start planning ahead in a way that is fiscally responsible, and with a long-term plan that helps protect the district against these types of problems entirely.

There are some great teachers here in D46. I've met many of them. My own child's teachers have been wonderful. But at some point, the politics have to end and the well-being and education of these kids needs to become priority number one all the time.

I truly believe that this school district has the potential to become one of the best in the entire state. I mean that. But people have to start working together without fighting. We have to all start taking a long, hard look at what matters most, and find creative solutions to our problems.

The best part is, there are so many people who care about the kids here....I see it everyday. There will come a time when the kids, teachers and taxpayers can be proud to call D46 home again, I know it in my heart.

Where will more money come from? Not only $1.2 million of the deficti (who wants to bet it will be higher), but the millions for all of the increased salaries? When someone can answer that, then we can debate the amount of the raises the union is demanding. I don't know ONE PERSON in the private sector who is not paying significantly more of their own money toward health care than they were 5 years ago, or 15 years ago. Can't say the same for those who are paid from my tax dollars. The teachers do face the same economy as the rest of us in the private sector, and so I don't know why some bristle at the notion that they may have to pay more toward their benefits. Perhaps if the district sought competitive bids for health benefits, this would be less of an issue. Perhaps if the district did not give bonuses out of stimulus funds, this would be less of an issue. Poor leadership has gotten us here.

Just as with salary (some D46 teachers are paid six figures while others earn $35k), some of the D46 teachers are stellar while others are marginal at best. The need for Unions is no longer here. Tenure needs to go!! Then we will be able to keep the great teachers, pay the great teachers the higher salaries, and get rid of the (some, not all) lazy tenured teachers. I work in the private sector and have been fortunate to get good raises in this economy BECAUSE I HAVE WORKED 150% OF WHAT I NEEDED TO, so that I would shine in my employer's eyes. I am not given raises because of a contract or because some union strong armed my employer. Furthermore, I resent the fact that the Union (let's be honest, it's the Union calling the shots here, not the teachers) is going to take my vacation time so that their workforce can strike. Shame on you!! I am a very active parent in D46, and interact with the teachers and administration frequently. We have a very good school district, but the greedy ones are ruining the reputation of the whole, and that is very sad.

Softball Jim, I see the point you're trying to make, here's what you don't know. Although we live in Texas (the weather is beautiful by the way) we still own a house in Grayslake, and pay taxes there. Our home in Grayslake lost so much of its value that we had to get a HARP loan to refinance since it's worth less than what we paid for it 10 years ago. What chaps my hide is that the taxes keep increasing on a home with continuously decreasing value. My biggest issue with this whole mess is that several members of the board and the unions are so wrapped up in politics, they've forgotten about the kids. Act like adults, stop the greedy antics and name calling. Give our community a school and a board to be proud of and I might feel a bit better about the tax increase. What the taxpayers are being given now is the laughing stock of Lake County, it's a joke, and the scores coming in don't back up the egos. Make the front line (ours teachers and the kids they work with daily) our priority, and you might see positive change. Continue to focus on money and politics, and you'll see this system self implode, as it has been for the past couple years. You initiate a strike, or allow one to happen, you're only victimizing the children.

Some concerns that will arise with the strike will be child care. Parents will pressure the board to cave, because they need to work. When Chicago Public Schools strikes, there were community churches and residents who set up programs for those who truly needed someone to watch their kids while they worked. They even had learning materials, so learning didn't stop. A good time to start planning this would be now. Mr. McCue has a history of striking.

Terri - my mother is a teacher, and I fully appreciate the demands of the job. However, the fact that teachers work outside of their work day and have prep work in the summer is no different that the work I do off hours for my job. I would venture to guess most people would say the same thing. I don't complain that I don't get paid for the time I am checking email, responding to client needs off-hours, and prepping for a presentation at 10 pm, and I get tired of hearing teachers complain that they have to grade papers or create lesson plans at night or on the weekends. They are no different than most private sector employees in that regard. YET - they do get off for winter break, spring break, Thanksgiving and 2 months in the summer. I have a total of 18 days paid vacation (and am required to take a vacation day if I take off the day after thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, or New Year's Eve), no pension (have to save in my 401(k)), no tenure, and I pay over $6,000 for my health benefits each year (that will increase to nearly $7,000 next year). In my company, a generous raise last year was 2%, but most people, if they even got a raise, got 1%. Bonuses have been non-existent, since the economy is so tough. However, unlike the public sector unions, we are grateful to be employed. Give me a break!

I normally don't comment on these sort of things but I believe we are blaming the teachers when we all know full well that the higher level Administrative posts bring in six figures and I believe they are given pay increases annually...

As a concerned parent of a child in the district this issue would greatly affect my household. However, at this point no one outside of the people involved really know what the proposals are from either side; this is all just speculation.

My child has been lucky to have great teachers in the district. I am sure that bad teachers exist as they probably do everywhere, but I think grayslake does have a good group of teachers.

What I do want to say is people should do some research before making accusations. The teachers salaries in this district range from a start of roughly 35k to a top of 75k. The 75k number is essentially a teacher with a doctorate. So no teachers are making six figure salaries. I am sure administrators and likely principals and such are making those salaries, but those are controlled strictly by the board and not this contract.

The budget does reflect a deficit for this academic year, however the District has a sizable reserve (roughly 8 million dollars) that can be used to make up for that deficit.

I won't make judgment on a strike until the offers are posted because until then I don't have enough information. I realize a strike would effect my family immediately, but I also realize the importance of keeping good teachers in this District at a competitive pay rate.

unfortunately people are losing their homes because of high taxes and job loss in the area already....people around the U.S are not getting raises and work in much worse conditions and with worse compensation. EVERYONE who works salary for the most part will work over the typical 40 hours and maybe more, but teachers don't work for a portion of the summer, Christmas Break, Spring Break and holidays. They get better paid vacations then do most people that have been with companies for YEARS. This economy is not good for anyone and WHY on earth are administrators making more then the actual teachers teaching is just RIDICULOUS. Strike is just an adult form of a tantrum when you can't get something you want:( I think teachers need to be paid more, but everyone out there thinks they need to make more then what they do, but there are also plenty of people with degrees out there that would gladly replace them for what they are making now....

Shame on any of you for responding negatively. All too often the media distorts the true facts. Before any of you judge, spend a day in a classroom and see the wonderful learning that takes place despite class size, lack of resources, physical space issues among other challenges that the public has provided. We as teachers educate those little ones so they'll be taking care of you in old age. But I suppose we can take that away from you when the time comes. We give over 100% to teach children to be fair, respectable, responsible and caring all in order for them to be exposed to such abuse from you all. Do your research and find out all the facts before you judge. Don't just look for the media reports to be entirely true. Spend hour after hour at negotiation meetings to see what really goes on. And ultimately, think how jumping to conclusions hurts your child. Remember this, we will still be their teacher, social worker, psychologist, nurse, parental figure that spend 5-7 hours loving and supporting them as they make it through their lives. Will you all be able to do that?

Mick no one should feel shame for responding with their opinion unless it is malicious. You say things like, "we as teachers" and "remember....we will still be their teacher..." it's easy to understand why your post is so passionate. Just take a few minutes to remember that those of us who are parents are also be their teacher, social worker, psychologist, nurse, parent and want the best education we can afford to give them. We'd like to be able to do that in a district where there are good teachers who understand that right now we can't afford to pay more in taxes to give our children's teachers increases. Drive down any block in the subdivisions of the district and you will see empty homes and "For Sale" signs every 4th home. That is an actual statistics by the way, you can verify with Lake Co.
Over 60% of homes in Lake Co. sold this year, sold in distress: short sale or foreclosure. Every dollar out of a house at this time is one less dollar that many in the community need to keep them in their home or even just feed their family. The economy isn't better.
I really hope that the community can pull together not to berate teachers, they have an important job, but to support the district in understanding that in this economy, children deserve to stay in their homes first before their parents can afford to give their teachers the raise they deserve.

Pete

There is plenty in reserve to do right by the teachers in this contract. The deficit needs to be handled in other funds. Unfortunately, the funds don't overlap by law. Remember that teachers are people, too. They also struggle to feed families and keep their homes.

Yes, we understand teachers are people too, who have families and needs. Our point is that while the taxpayers are not receiving bonuses or salary increases and our medical costs continue to rise (in essence we have been taking pay cuts each year) we are stating that why do teachers feel they deserve increases in an economy like this. No one in the private or public sectors are getting raises, yet the teachers are still getting theirs and now they want more.

Last contract they settled on 2.75% increases over 4%, which we were grateful. We think teachers deserve a decent salary but now they still want more? And a possible strike where now it is not about the kids but about the money and benefits. To parents, this feels like a strong arm method from unions to get what they want to the detriment of the kids.

And I do not recall seeing this reserve as slotted for teacher salaries. That is bond money that is in reserve...heck we couldn't even get air conditioning in 2 schools but you want to use it to pay teachers an even bigger salary increase than they are already getting? I would be elated if I had gotten 2.75% increase over the last 3 years

Per your math, a household that pays $6,000/year for 190 days of their child's education = $33/day, also means a teacher making 50,000 is making $263/day to teach. Sound like you have a great deal too.

$30 an hour for a teacher is a great deal? That's what a dental hygienist makes. Your teacher isn't worth as much? BTW...teachers, like much of those in the private sector, work way beyond 8 hours...your dental hygienist would probably get overtime.

"There is plenty in reserve to do right by the teachers in this contract"; Terri, I support teachers and want them to be the best we can afford; but to make a comment like "do right by the teachers" goes to many of the points people here have made. That type is a statement of division. Consider this example:
I show up every day. I do my job well. My job has a direct impact on the economy.I am responsible for dozens of other employees. I have performed above company standards as have the employees who work for me. Every one of them works more than 40 hours/week.
I haven't had an increase in 3 years. Neither have they. I was given the directive to decrease my staff by 9 people. I negotiated with my employer to reducing by 6.
I was fortunate to be able to keep my own job. I take nothing for granted knowing that there is no certainty via a contract that my job will be there tomorrow.
I can't demand that my employer dip into their reserve, profit, pocket and pay me and my staff what is "right by us".
For tomorrow, we have a job to go to. Today, this is going to have to be enough.

We all work way beyond 8 hours a day, and year round. Most people's hours have increased while having to take more responsibilities as companies downsize, all with no pay increase! Most of our salaries would probably equate to $15-25/hour (or less.) You see we all are in the same boat. And dental hygienist are important people too.

I apologize if my statement was divisive. Didn't mean it to be. If your company is profitable as result of your effort, I would hope you'd be rewarded. I made no inference that a teacher resents the same above and beyond they provide like those in the private sector. Our teachers are underpaid compared to those in surrounding districts. The average income in 60073 & 60030 $40 per hour.

Terri - see this link: http://ww2.d46.org/district/distpdf/pa97-0609-1213.pdf
This is posted on the D46 website. In reply to your above comment: Teachers do not get vacation days, but they do get plenty of sick days, which they get paid for if they do not use them. (double dipping - get paid for the day you worked, and when you retire, you get paid for the days you did not get sick. crazy). They also get a few personal days each year, Winter Break, Spring Break and 2 months in the summer.

Also - and this is in response to your reply to me above- you do realize that D46 teachers do not contribute more that 6.5% of their income to their pensions. (that is what the private sector contributes to Social Security, proir to Obama cutting it to 4.5%, which will come back to haunt us all later). The latest data show that they don't contribute anything, but I am not certain that is correct, so I won't cite it. Also, teachers can retire after 27 years (age 51) and collect 75% of the highest three year avg. salary. Can the public sector do that on Social Security? I don't think so. Also, Private sector workers, in order to have any chance at retirement have to fund it themselves by contributing to a 401(k) or IRA, so on top of the 6.5 % we have to give to Soc. Sec., we must save even more.

Where do you get your facts on what teacher's in D46 pay toward their healthcare premiums. Please cite where they pay more than $6,000 out of pocket. Please cite the reference.

60030 is Grayslake, and compare D46 to Prospect Heights (60073)? They have 1,484 student in D23 compared to our 4,000 students in D46, and per the school report card D23 local taxes received as revenue is $17m compared to D46 $28m. As you can see Grayslake is already taxed to the max.

Terri - You told Pete there is "plenty in reserve" to "do right" by the teachers? You are clearly not from around here are you? We have no reserve. We have $1.2 million gaping hole of a deficit, so where, exactly, is our "reserve"? Please get your facts straight before you rant about how unfairly teachers are treated, and do a little homework on the facts of what our teachers already get. It seems you just want to throw out ideas that somehow teachers are victims, yet you do not know the facts. Smells like a troll to me!

Terri since you were brave enough to post here I hope you will consider one more thing, I am trying to view this from both sides and hope you will consider my humble opinion:
If the district has a surplus it would be irresponsible to use it on salaries.Sooner or later you will run out of that surplus. Round Lake did that and went broke. Use your own home as an example: If you don't have enough money to pay the bills but have a savings account, you use that money to help you through rough times. You don't use your savings to increase your spending.

Terrify, please cite where you see that teachers pay 100% of their premiums. No one pays $20,000 out of pocket. If you can show me where, in the current contract, that the district passes 100% of the premiums to thee teachers, I have a bridge to sell you. Now, if the $20,000 figure refers to a high deductible plan, then that is diffrent altogether. Those plans come with next to no premiums and an HSA is attatched to it.

As for the 6.5%, that is what private sector employees pay to soc sec. Please cite where D46 teachers pay over 9% toward their pensions. I would appreciate the evidence.

Finally, they get paid for 190 days. Right. And there are 270 work says for people who work all year, mostly of whom do not have salary and benefit packages nearly as generous as those of teachers.

Oh...one more thing. Please show us all in the budget where the surplus is. The budget is on the website. Thanks!

Terrify...read my comments after the link. I specifically said teachers don't get vacation days.

Agreed...but the same sentence indicated teachers can "cash out" sick days...they cannot. And it's Terri, sir.

My apologies for misspelling your name..autocorrect on my phone. So sorry. Regarding sick time, if they can't that is new, and the fact that they can use it to buy time results in much the same when it comes to how long the public pays out pensions.

To become more informed go read the Chicago Daily Herald article online.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20121016/news/710169763/

It is not new. No cash out in 20 years to my knowledge. Based on your example earlier, the retiree would receive a boost to lifetime retirement of $37,000 (based on a life expectancy of age 78)

That is insane! The teachers want 6% increase for 4 years for those retiring, and the board is offering 5% for three years. Seems reasonable, given the fact that this process is crazy to begin with. Bump up a teachers pay for 3 years straight at the highest pay they will make so that is the 3 year average they get to use to retire on. What a deal!

Simple question to all...what is the dollar amount my tax bill will increase by if we give the teachers what they want?

We should all agree that the teachers deserve a pay raise in line with cost of living... the question is ... is there enough money to maintain a somewhat healthy system?

There is a recession and many people have no jobs and losing their homes, especially in Grayslake. The market value is down, no one now a days are getting raises do to the economy. When we get out of a recession and the economy gets better then they should get raises like everyone else. I don't get 3 months vacation and 2 weeks off during the winter holidays. I'm just happy I have a job in this market that where there is no such thing as job security. No one is safe and can lose their jobs. I love the teachers but now during these times it not such a smart thing to fight for money. Everyone is struggling, everyone needs to work, kids need to be in school.