Why 2 Officials Opposed Hinsdale D86 Teacher Pact

HINSDALE, IL – Two members of the Hinsdale High School District 86 board last week said they opposed certain parts of the new union contract with teachers.

At Thursday's board meeting, the four-year contract passed 5-2, with members Peggy James and Jeff Waters dissenting.

In comments before the vote, James said the contract reduced classroom hours by 17 from before the pandemic.

"I value the time when (teachers) are in the classroom with their students," James said.

She said she opposed the increase in early release Wednesdays to 28 a year over the life of the contract.

Last year, the district replaced late start Mondays with early release Wednesdays. Officials said such scheduling gave teachers time to collaborate with their peers and help students with their assignments.

Waters noted he was a "sharp critic" of early release Wednesdays. He said such a reduction in classroom time comes as students' test scores are falling.

"It's important to recognize the outstanding work that our teachers have done and continue to do," Waters said. "So my support for the teachers at both high schools and the transition center cannot be more ardent. However, my struggle is with the administration for putting the goals of collaboration as it relates to the strategic plan ahead of the goals of the students who do their best work in the classroom."

Member Debbie Levinthal, who often aligns herself with James and Waters in divided votes, said she liked that the contract expanded the lunch hour to 50 minutes, from 25. The extra time, she said, enables students to get more help from teachers and employees known as "interventionists."

"It's my personal opinion that if a negotiation is successful, then the parties walk away with a feeling that they gave up a little too much in some regards, but gained in others," she said. "The school day is lengthening to provide some support time during the school day for students, which I prioritize."

Patch wrote a story Friday about the details of the union contract.

The agreement takes effect July 1.