Dist. 86 School Board Announces Current Contract Proposal

Photo: Richard Skoda (left) and Edward Corcoran (right) discuss the school board’s latest teacher contract proposal Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Update 9/17 9:30 a.m.: Dist. 86 Board Makes Contract Proposal Available Online
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About $6 million separates the current 4-year teacher contract proposals of the Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Board of Education and the Hinsdale High School Teachers Association, according to the board.

The board released its proposal Tuesday morning at a news conference, announcing disagreement in all compensation categories and most benefit categories. The board and the association’s proposals concurred only on insurance premiums, retirement health insurance plan PPO and retiree dental coverage.

The board’s calculations of the total cost of its contract proposal and the teachers’ association’s proposal showed a financial difference of $6,374,134.

• Cost of school board’s proposal: $180,280,234
• Cost of teachers’ association’s proposal: $186,654,369

“We believe our offer is fair and sustainable,” said Edward Corcoran, vice president of the Dist. 86 board of education.

Corcoran said the board is sorry the contract conflict has gone on so long, but there’s not enough money to meet the teachers’ proposal.

“The fact remains that over one-third of teachers are making $130,000 a year plus stipends,” Corcoran said.

He added that the board wants to stop the compounding impact of stipends, which he said are pensionable funds.

Corcoran said probably the biggest point of contention with teachers is pensions, but the board can’t have compounds exceeding the cap.

Corcoran, with board President Richard Skoda, also discussed spousal surcharges. The teachers’ association proposed eliminating spousal surcharges, but the board proposed a $100 surcharge for spouses without available coverage, and a $200 surcharge for spouses with available coverage.

Corcoran said spousal surcharges are the No. 1 cost increase over the years, and there hasn’t been an increase in premiums since 2006. He said the board is targeting the largest cost center.

Skoda and Corcoran also discussed the issue of a dress code. The teachers’ association proposed there be no dress codes, but the board argued for business casual dress. The board members expressed concern about teachers wearing shirts or displaying materials associated with the teachers’ association in the classrooms.

The board members said further negotiations would probably take place the week of Sept. 22, when the two parties and the negotiator are available.