Northwest Herald Pounds Huntley Teachers’ Union

First a Thursday Northwest Herald article unfavorable to the Huntley Education Association’s 30% compensation.

Sunday a scathing editorial calling the teachers’ union position “ludicrous.”

Northwest Herald calls position of Huntley teachers “ludicrous.”

Ludicrous” is a strong word. So is the word “certain.” Here’s a complete NW Herald quote from Sunday (with input from a reader serving temporarily on the editorial board):

“One thing is for certain: The current fiscal health of the district has no bearing on what kind of teachers’ contract should be approved.

”To suggest that there is a significant reserve and therefore the money should be spent on salary increases is ludicrous.”

What is the next sentence?

“Sadly, this perspective seems lost on union leaders…”

And another excerpt:

“If you have it, spend it. And if you run out of money later, you can always seek to increase taxes.

”That’s irresponsible…

“The justification of teacher pay has little to do with how much money the school district has on hand.

“Bu that logic, every time a school district begins to deficit spend, teachers should voluntarily take pay cuts.

“Try and work that in to the next contract.”

Has the IEA and its local teachers union begun a public fight it wishes it hadn’t?

You bet!

It is one thing to get away with privately making this argument to suburban school boards and getting them to cave. It is another to have a very public debate about it.

This will be the last time any Illinois Education Association local union makes its negotiating position public.

That’s my prediction.


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