Danville teachers back strike if talks fail on Sunday
DANVILLE – Just as they did three weeks ago, Danville teachers and support staff on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to go on strike next week if contract negotiations between its union and the school district aren't successful.
However, Danville Education Association officials said they're cautiously optimisic that won't happen.
"We're still hopeful we can reach an agreement," union President Robin Twidwell said. "But we have a plan in place if talks fail on Sunday."
The district and union, which represents about 400 certified staff and about 200 noncertified staff, have been locked in a contentious contract dispute for more than five months.
On Aug. 25, the union voted to file an intent-to-strike notice in an attempt to get the board to take a package proposal with a hard salary freeze off the table, and negotiate financial and language items individually.
District officials have said the freeze for most employees was necessary because of the uncertainty of state funding, which makes up 51 percent of the district's revenue, and unstable economy. Union officials have argued that their proposed increase is minimal and well within the district's ability to pay.
Just last Friday, both sides seemed unwilling to move from their positions. Union officials said that if this past Tuesday's talks – the third round with a federal mediator – weren't successful, members would take a strike vote and, if approved, they would walk out next Monday.
But late Tuesday night, after more than four hours of bargaining, Twidwell and Superintendent Mark Denman announced the two sides finally made "a little" progress – enough that they agreed to hold another mediation session at 2 p.m. Sunday. They also said both sides remain hopeful they will resolve the remaining issues and reach a tentative deal.
Despite the breakthrough, Twidwell and Denman said each side must continue preparing for the possibility of a strike, in case Sunday's talks take an unexpected turn and break down.
For union officials, that meant updating members on negotiations and having them take a final strike vote on Wednesday afternoon. About 500 members voted "overwhelmingly" to do so, nearly mirroring the Aug. 25 intent-to-strike vote, Twidwell said.
If they do end up walking out, union officials will encourage members to not show up for work, and they will picket in front of the Jackson Building at 516 N. Jackson St.
For board members, that meant discussing in closed session on Wednesday how long the schools would remain closed if a strike occurs and isn't resolved quickly; whether the district would make up missed days; whether athletic events and practices, music programs, club meetings and other extracurricular activities would be canceled; and whether teachers and staff would pay their own health insurance during a walkout. They already announced they would cancel school if union members walked out on Monday.
The board also will hold a special meeting at 12:15 p.m. Friday at the Jackson Building to make a decision regarding student extracurricular activities in the event of a strike.
Parents and students said they hope the two sides will work together to avoid a strike, which, they said, wouldn't be in students' best interest.
"They just got into school," said Cassandra Batchelor, whose son is a second-grader at Garfield Elementary School. "They need to stay in school so they can learn."
"A strike would cut into our school time ... and we don't want to have to come back in the summer," said Ryton Parker, a Danville High School sophomore.
"The teachers wouldn't do it unless it was absolutely necessary. They want what's best for the district, especially the students," added Danville High junior Ashlyn Overley, whose mother is a teacher. "But it would be unfortunate if they go on strike. All of the football players, the cross-country team, swim teams, boys soccer teams have been working very hard. I'm the drum major for the band. If there's a strike, we won't be allowed to practice. All of the progress we've made would be lost."
Teachers, who make more than anyone in Danville are going to strike so they can make more money when the people who pay the bill are taking pay cuts or unemployed. The Teachers, who were OFF during the Summer for 2-3 months, but get a full years worth of pay. 35,000/year for an ENTRY level of profession, who doesn't work 12 months out of the year.
Now, myself and other parents in Danville will need to take time off of work because the teachers are striking. Unfortunately, many of us can not afford to do this. My children's teachers care for their well being, but the Teacher's Union only cares for their own well being. This isn't a Negotiation, this EXTORTION.
cadam, first the Danville Education Association represents more than just teachers. Also, I don't know where you get some of your information. Have you looked at the district website and dea website? Are you listening to other people talk? I hear a lot of rumors that are not true. Please don't be so quick to make general statements about the district staff and the union. A lot of D118 staff members live in Danville, and therefore they are also taxpayers who are paying their fair share.
Additionally, you make it very apparent you feel that teaching is an ENTRY level type of profession. Research what it takes to be a teacher. (Education, certification, re-certification, and so forth.) Answer this question: Do you want someone with a high school education or less to be responsible for your children's education? Teachers must have at least a 4-year degree, but many hold higher levels of education. Thus, they should be paid accordingly. Also, I live in Danville and can give numerous professions that pay more than teaching for less education. I hear the railroad in Danville pays more than that for an entry level position just to name one.
Next, what exactly do you think we do in this time off during the summer? I am a little tired of reading this statement over and over again. I will ask around, but I don't know very many teachers that spend their summer at a Sandals resort hotel in the Caribbean. Teachers have other jobs, take care of their children, work on stuff for next school year, coach sports, and much more. We STILL WORK! Lastly, this idea that everyone should suffer together benefits no one. I teach my students to set high goals and tell them to encourage others to do the same. I want the entire community to benefit. I want your wages to increase as well because it will help the economy. We should be working together to build this community up, not help bring it down.
I never said teaching is an Entry level position, I said the teachers making 35,000 a year straight of college are in at an entry level. When compared to other persons, that's pretty darn good. Most people in Social Services, who have the same level of education, certification, and recertification, would dream of making 35k/year, plus benefits. And most of the folks in Social Services are Salaried and work upwards of 60 hours a week often in a less than desirable environment.
I guess me listening to the rumors I'm informed. I guess Danville doesn't have a double digit unemployment, like the rest of Illinois. Or that the US isn't in an economic Recession (if not Depression). Oh, I guess the Teachers aren't asking for pay-raises, or less of a increase in healthcare costs. And I guess it's just rumor that everyone healthcare premiums have gone up 30%, let alone my own.
Mathteacher, you can sit on your pedastel, as it's obvious you are making some general statements looking down on folks who work year round for the Railroad, and I suspect any traditional Blue Collar type jobs. Education doesn't correlate with Intelligence, or Responsibility. Someone without a degree may have in fact received much more education than you.
I never suggested a teacher in the summer is sitting on a beach in a resort hotel. But, I am friends with several teachers, and come from a family of educators. Guess what? Summers were great, and the fact most districts will spread the salary across the entire year, even though they only work 9 months is GREAT. I would LOVE to do that. So you get let's say 50,000/year, plus benefits, and only work 9 months!
Ok, so instead of going on Strike, making parents have to scramble to make arrangements for Monday. Explain to me how the community will benefit with teachers striking? How can a community with all the economic problems Danville faces (and the US), justify handing out a pay-raise, or increased spending of any sort that isn't CRITICAL.
If the issues at hand weren't focused on money, I may actually support DEA. However, everything I see and hear is focused on the money.
We can sit an argue whether or not 35,000 right out of school is great for whatever field, but it is difficult to do because making comparisons across industries is not all that clear. I will tell you my salary is less than this magic 35,000 (just salary) and I probably put in 60+ hours a week. I will also admit right now that many work harder for less. I am in no way claiming to have the worst job, because I get to do what I love, teach kids how to do math.
I will give you the fact that economic conditions have not been the best ever recently. However, sitting on large amounts of cash isn’t going to stimulate the economy. If wages continue to fall, home prices continue to fall, and other prices continue to fall we will be in a deflationary cycle. This will lead to a depression. Correct me if I am wrong, but deflation was a major economic concern in the Great Depression. My view is this is a great time for investment because interest rates are historically low.
Also, I am not looking down on people that work all year around because I am one of them. My dad has worked for the railroad for over 30 years and the railroad helped pay for some of schooling. I was saying that an entry level position at the railroad, in Danville, pays more than teaching. Yes, it is all year around. Even if you adjust my salary for a year, this entry level position still pays more. Your education point is very true. Bill Gates is an excellent example. I also don't claim to be the most educated person by any stretch, but I do know that continuing education through classes or work experience is important. It is my opinion that our society would benefit from more education.
I will also admit that I enjoyed my summer. It was much needed time for rest and relaxation to help get me ready for this school year. However, I had to work to pay my bills because I do not get paid 50,000 year . If I used my mathematics degree for an engineering type field, then I could probably easily be making that. Again, you seemed to generalize me as a teacher who only works nine months. Not true.
Look. Teachers aren't doing this so parents will have to find babysitters or to take kids out of sports. I will apologize in advance for that. We are trying to gain respect for our profession. I think you would do the same for yours. Have you stood up for something at work? And you know why it is focused on money? The media focuses on money because it easy to put up a chart with figures. The district is making the focus about money because the DEA can’t concentrate on other issues until they agree to take a salary freeze.
Mathteacher might be a little biased, being a teacher. Still, he makes some good points. You know some teachers that enjoy their summers. Then there are some in other professions that start out with less pay. Sounds like we should demonize the whole professions? Not hardly. I'm not a teacher and I don't want to be. Taking care of 150 children per day and even realizing that a three page paper per student means 450 pages to grade that night, forget it.
Did your health care go up 30% in two years? If so, what company do you work for? Mine went up some over the past three years, but they haven't done anything like that. Everyone I know can't explain that. Still, maybe you are right. It would be interesting to hear your job.
If teaching is so great, sign up! In the meantime, how will the community benefit from making Danville the most attractive teaching job in the area? Excuse me if I say, "Duh." Money does help to attract the best and the brightest. I'd suggest everyone go and compare area schools, like Bismarck, and see that starting teacher pay is very close to Danville. You sound like you have a chip on your shoulder.
Mendys, I am very passionate about my profession. I would expect anyone to stand up and defend what they believe in. I would like to add that from talking to some people at Danville. The district claims that insurance costs have went up 30% at the District over the last two years. However, they are playing games with the numbers. If you look back five years, the district cost of increased by only 1% or 2 %. The union took major concessions. The union is not trying to break the bank. I am a math teacher (or at least thats what my username says), and I understand statistics can be manipulated to make a point. Example: Health care went up 30%, well 30% of what $100, $1000, $1,000,000????
You'd really support teachers after insinuating they don't work, they make way too much, and their jobs are too easy. I don't do their job, so it is tough for me to speculate. Obviously, you've got it all figured out. Maybe you can change the profession by becoming a teacher.
You ridicule that someone says it is rumor that health care hasn't went up 30% in two years. That means something that cost $100 two years ago is now charged to the district for $130. Sounds very, very, very steep to me. I know my insurance costs did not increase like that and neither did my spouse. Maybe Danville is different; they could be on a run-away train with tons of sick, lame employees just bleeding them dry. If that is the case, most probably don't enjoy their time like your family. (I apologize if you're an insurance professional and requested all district insurance documents and went over them with a fine tooth comb and will publish it soon.) Denman pointed out on another post that Danville District #118's number of employees increased by 20% during the same time because of grants (and these were the same employees laid off by the district because the grants ran out). This means insurance costs increased approximately 3.3% per year. That sounds reasonable. If the costs did increase 30%, you should be writing to the person responsible for purchasing insurance and ask they be fired. The board that approved such increases should demand to see the paperwork that led them to make such horrible decisions.
So if I am reading your post right, your argument is that "since other people in Social Services are underpaid, teacher should be underpaid too" Can you explain to me how double digit unemployment is related to the teacher's salaries/contract? Does an increase in pay for teachers raise unemployment? If so could you explain this to me? My understanding is, more money in the area, would increase spending which ideally would increase revenue for businesses and so forth...
I'd go over the 30% increase, but I think Mathteacher and Mendy already explained that one, and what's with the “pedastel” (pedestal) comment?
Making parents scramble? I am sorry that this could be an inconvenience on parents, but this is not a "night before notice" and this deals with our lives too. The intent to strike was filed on August 26th, I believe, and the strike, if necessary, would start on Sept 13th. But like most people you are thinking of yourself instead of others, which I do not blame you. As teachers we must think of ourselves at times too, this is one of those times. We devote our lives to the students of our schools and unfortunately this is also our business and lives. This is the second year we have worked without a contract into the school year, and enough is enough. We agreed to a soft salary freeze and other benefits concessions in the past two contracts. We have been very gracious in the last two contracts but we cannot continue to give and give. I am disturbed that money has been the only issue discussed on sites like these, but I am not surprised. As a parent, I would think the safety issues, and class sizes might be something you would be more concerned about. With an offer of salary freezes for anyone over $54,000 and asking for a half a percent raise for everyone below is a very fair compromise. When the district provides raises for three of its administrators that would cover ALL of the raises requested for the teacher's assistants, who do think is acting unreasonable? I understand you have an opinion and have a right to that opinion. Again if you come from a family of educators I will make an offer to you again, if you believe it is so great, become a teacher. I love the job, it is perfect for me. But just because I love the job doesn't mean I shouldn’t be treated fairly. I believe this will be worked out on Sunday by our board and union to have a fair contract for both sides. In the mean time, I would ask that you sign up for college classes and start your path to becoming an educator.
Cadam,
Making more money than anyone in Danville? According to payscale.com , starting average salary for an accountant in our area is between $37,000 and $46,000 and for nurses is $46,000-$60,000. These people deserve the money they earn, as do the educators who work in our schools. The average amount of hours spent by a teacher during a work week is 52 hours according to study on teachers’ workloads from Atlanta University. If you count hours for teachers who spend time with extracurricular activities it is WAY more than this. On top of working a job for 52+ hours a week, teachers are expected to earn CPDUs and stay current in their content area by taking college courses (at their own expense).
I currently am working on my master's degree, and I have just paid out of my own pocket $2750 this semester alone. What other jobs/careers in Danville require you to pay your own money to stay current in your field all while being the lowest paid "professional" career? What are the most important assets in our community? I think we would agree it is our children. Who do you want guiding these children, spending more time with them than many of their parents do, and pushing these students to succeed?
The truth is this is a difficult job and not everyone is cut out to be a teacher. Nearly half of all the teachers who enter the field leave in the first five years, according to all4ed.org. Many people think since they went to school, they could be a teacher. Everyone that goes to boot camp is not cut out to be the General of the US Army. It takes skills that are developed through study, practice, and team work. And finally, please do some research on the strike, money is not the only discussion point. The union is interested in the safety of our students and staff while at their schools, as well as many other issues that need to be resolved. And if you think it is so great and lucrative to be a teacher, I encourage you to go to school, get a bachelor's degree, get your teacher certification, and have your "2-3 months off a year."
mark danmen must be turning over in his bed reading about greedy teachers. they make more than anyone in danville who are striking to make more money and pay bills. they just off and got back to work for full years pay. when he teached, mark danmen teached all the time and didnt take off 2-5 months before teaching again. he knows what best. you right, this aint negitiations, this abortion.
First, some assert teachers make more than anyone. If this is the case, then tell the doctors, lawyers, mechanics, managers, certain sales jobs, machinists, and dozens of other jobs that they should all quit today and come running to become wealthy. Try not to kill anyone in the stampede.
The fact is that instead of shooting off nonsense, go to the Danville District #118 website and download the staff pay worksheets. 53% of the staff, according to the district, make around 35,000 or less (many at 12-20,000). Of the teachers, 7 out of 10 make less than the quoted average of the district. The district didn't point this out because apparently they are playing games. Remember, don't believe me or some poster -- read the FACTS. What a novel idea.
I guess if teachers and all the other employees want protections, nursing, better classes, and a raise that works out to $615 per employee, then do it (remember, this last number can be figured from what Mark Denman and Heather McKiernan said). Let's not exaggerate the situation.
Extortion? I can't believe Mark Denman and the board are holding the teachers hostage over $615 per employee. That is so small. Thanks for pointing that out. I know my children will be disappointed (especially my youngest at Edison), but the district could step up and do the right thing. I've said it before, but it bears repeating. Nanette Mellen would never be so brazen to disregard all the hard working staff members who make up the district and the community. Many complain about the greedy teachers, but these are the same people who teach your children, spend money in your community, and are your neighbors. Apparently Nanette and every other superintendent for as long as I can remember thought enough of their staff to not play games with people's lives.
I don't understand why every other district in the area that Danville quoted on its website, http://www.danville.k12.il.us/ about pay comparison has given each and every employee a small raise for experience. The going to the DEA website http://www.danvilledea.com/ , one sees that Danville is in great financial shape. Why do the administrators and board members show that all the teachers and staff are worth so little? Comparing administrative pay shows the following: Mark Denman, D118, $185,000; Bismarck superintendent, $122,000; Oakwood superintendent, $117,000. One should see that these salaries are four to six times higher than beginning teacher salaries and 10-16 times higher than teaching assistants.
I've opened up the salary website Denman talked about in a post. I haven't crunched the data, but most teachers look to be in the 30s and 40s. I don't think that is too high.
"District officials have said the freeze for most employees was necessary because of the uncertainty of state funding, which makes up 51 percent of the district's revenue, and unstable economy." Necessary means you must have it. Why is this necessary in Danville but no other district in Vermilion, Champaign, and all other areas compared by the Board's response on the Danville website? I guess I don't get what makes Danville so special. Everyone else has the same unstable economy and are moving forward, not rolling the dice about what might or might not happen in the near future. Be realistic.
Suddenly everything seems necessary. Surprising, but Danville is slinging mud as fast as possible to berate its teachers. They never did such a thing under Nanette Mellen, Dr. Tucker, Dr. Fields, and Dr. Pennington (that goes back over 20 years). Now their website gives a host of reasons why the teachers don't deserve anything. In the same breath, the district claims to "value" its staff. Quite a funny way to show it. The tax money collected today should be spent on those who paid it. There is no reason the contractual issues, like student safety and smaller classrooms, can't be resolved.
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