Prairie Grove Teachers Disappointed with Monday Negotiations Session

After reporting productive negotation sessions last week, the Prairie Grove Teachers Association released a statement saying Monday's bargaining meeting did not go as well.

The PGTA negotiating team met with Prairie Grove School District 46 officials from 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 24, in hopes of finalizing a deal that would end 21 months of negotiating.

"The PGTA was very disappointed with the outcome of the negotiations session today. We are frustrated with the lack of productive discussions," the PGTA said in a statement released Monday evening.  

Now, the 73 members of the teachers union will meet tonight, Tuesday, to consider all their available options, the release said. 

On the administration side, District 46 officials did not post an update notice detailing their perspective on the discussions, as done in past weeks.

The most recent notice - printed on the District 46 website on Sept. 17 - said the board and teachers' negotiation teams had a productive meeting. Both sides seemed hopeful that a new contract was in sight. 

Now, the next negotiation session has not yet been confirmed, the PGTA announced.

Prairie Grove District 46 serves about 900 students at its two schools, an elementary and junior high school. Both schools are located at 3223 Route 176, Crystal Lake.

Teachers in District 46 have been without a contract for a full year now. Without a finalized agreement, instructors have been working under imposed conditions not agreed to by the PGTA since July 27, the union representatives said.

The non-resolved issues are primarily financial: salary, extra duty assignments and pay, insurance and the impact of the board's decision to delete the retirement enhancement payment.

Last month, the teachers union overwhelmingly approved a strike authorization vote, which means they are prepared to strike, if necessary. 

More information about the ongoing negotiations can be found in the following Crystal Lake-Cary Patch articles:

Progress Reported in Prairie Grove School District 46 Teachers Negotiations

No Resolution in Prairie Grove Teachers Contract Negotiations

Prairie Grove Teachers and District 46 to Hold Negotiation Session on Thursday

Prairie Grove Teachers File Impasse in Contract Negotiations