The Huntley School Board has fired back at the Huntley Education Association’s assertion that a so-far-unreleased to the public, but supposed step-down from its over 30% initial salary and benefits hike.

The school board claims that there is only about $1 million more available for teachers in the current year’s budget…after reserving 1% for contingency expenditures.

The board claims the teachers are asking for $2.8 million in salaries, retirement enhancements and better medical coverage in the first year of its proposed contract, plus “considerable increases” in other compensation.

The board calls on the union to release the details of its revised request.

The following press release has been issued about teacher negotiations by Huntley School District 158’s Board (I have added some paragraphing to make it easier to read on a screen and emphasized some sentences. In the original, there is just straight type.):

Date: July 21, 2008
Re: Union Negotiations

The Huntley Education Association (HEA) issued a press release on July 16, 2008 which says their last proposal (July 14)

“will not result in deficit spending. It will not require a tax increase or budget cuts. Budget surpluses will continue.”

The Board of Education (BOE) believes that this comment about deficit spending and budget surpluses is totally inaccurate.

On June 19, 2008, the BOE passed a tentative budget. Dollars were included for an HEA contract in this budget (HEA contract costs unknown).

As a result, the budget has an operating surplus of 1.79 million dollars. This budget will require at least a 1% operating surplus that acts as the budget contingency (this has been done for the past two budgets, much of this contingency has been needed and is consistent with sound fiscal management).

Because there are not increased HEA costs in this budget, all new contract amounts specifically proposed by the HEA will be deducted from this surplus.

After taking into account the 1% “contingency” surplus, there is a little over one million dollars in new money available in the budget.

Spending significantly more than the new money available in the budget will require deep spending cuts or deficit spending. The HEA’s proposal of July 14, calls for new spending of over $2.8 million just in the areas of salary, TRS, and medical insurance in year one of the proposed contract. The HEA has also separately proposed considerable increases in other areas of compensation.

Even without the needed 1% “contingency” surplus, the HEA’s proposal adds over one million dollars in new spending than what is available.

Thus, the HEA’s statement that their proposal will not result in deficit spending or budget cuts is inaccurate.

The Board respectfully disagrees with the HEA’s characterization of the conduct of its bargaining agent and negotiating team. The Board does not choose, at this time, to unilaterally release the HEA’s July 14 proposal which could be construed as an action that could potentially damage the negotiating process.

However, the Board encourages the HEA to release its July 14 proposal. Such a positive action of transparency would allow the public to directly evaluate the claims made by the HEA.

At the beginning of this process, the Board strongly felt it was in the best interest of all parties and the community to conduct negotiations in public with full transparency.

The Board continues to be disappointed that the HEA negotiating team would not agree to this type of bargaining process. The Board will, at this time, continue to conduct negotiations within the agreed upon ground rules, a spirit of cooperation, and respect for our excellent teaching staff. The Board of Education is committed to settling a contract that is fair to our teachers and taxpayers.

(Attachment: District 158 Preliminary Budget document)

Below is the budget document, which can be enlarged by clicking on it: