An Unlikely Critic Of Elmhurst Teachers Union

ELMHURST, IL — Residents have criticized the Elmhurst teachers union for opposing the school district's plans for in-person learning.

This week, the critics gained an unusual ally — a retired teacher who negotiated on behalf of the union for years.

Longtime teacher Paul Guerino wrote on Elmhurst Patch that both the Elmhurst Teachers Council and the school board have mishandled the pandemic.

Guerino, an Elmhurst resident, retired as an elementary school teacher in 2005 after having worked for Elmhurst School District 205 for 36 years.

During his years, he said he was a union building representative and a negotiator. By the time he retired, he was the council's chief negotiator.

"I am no longer proud of those 36 years or my part as a negotiator," Guerino said on Patch. "The union has not stood up for the students. The (school board) has shown itself to be spineless."

He said as far as he knows, no one in Catholic schools have died from the coronavirus in Elmhurst.

"If any had died, the (school board) would have shouted from the rooftops and say we are right in what we are doing," Guerino said. "U-205 students have lost at least half of a year of academic learning plus have suffered psychological damage."

In an interview, Guerino said two of his cousins who are emergency room doctors have their children in Catholic schools. He said that had an influence on his thinking.

"They must have at least a better idea about what's going on than I do," he said.

Guerino ran unsuccessfully for the school board in 2007, 2009 and 2011.

In January, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board rejected the Elmhurst Teachers Council's request for the district to hold off on in-person learning. In documents, the district criticized the union, saying it was ignoring student needs.

The Elmhurst teachers union did not return a message for comment.