Union Dispute Roils La Grange Highlands District

LA GRANGE HIGHLANDS, IL — Ninety percent of teachers in the tiny La Grange Highlands elementary school district last week voted against a proposed union contract, the union announced in a statement this week. They have been without an agreement since August.

In a Facebook post Sunday, the union said the proposed salary increases were not competitive with other area districts. Teachers' extra duty stipends and hourly rates of pay have been frozen for eight years, the union said.

Representatives of the Highlands Association of Teachers have been negotiating with the administration and a federal mediator since January, the Facebook post said.

According to the Illinois Report Card website, the average teacher in La Grange Highlands makes about $69,000 a year. That is slightly higher than three of the five districts that border La Grange Highlands, according to a Patch analysis. Another district is slightly higher. Still another, the Hinsdale elementary district, is at $93,000 a year, which is far higher than most elementary districts statewide.

"It is not fair that a new teacher with the same amount of experience will be making more than a current staff member will make," the union said in the Facebook post. "There is no incentive to stay in this district. It shows that our staff's time and efforts here are not respected. It is actually quite insulting. An existing Highlands teacher might as well resign and then hope to be rehired for a substantial raise in pay."

Under the last contract, new teachers at La Grange Highlands were paid based on their years of experience teaching outside the district, up to seven years.

Superintendent Amy Warke said the district is working with the union to set dates for continuing negotiations.

"The board of education really values teachers and wants the best for our teachers and students. We're still working to get a good agreement," Warke said in an interview. "They are not at the point of a strike. We're still going back to the table. That's something that is important in light of what has happened in Chicago and other districts."

The proposed contract would have included a 5 percent raise for this school year and increases ranging from 3 to 4 percent annually for the next four years, according to the district.

In response to the union vote last week, the district put out a statement saying it was "extremely shocked and disappointed" at the decision.

The La Grange Highlands district's two schools have a combined 900 students. The union represents 82 teachers, according to the district.

Average teacher salary comparison with districts bordering La Grange Highlands:

Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181: $92,617

• La Grange Highlands School District 106: $68,925
• La Grange School District 102: $66,527
• La Grange School District 105 South: $68,018
• Pleasantdale School District 107: $67,650
• Western Springs School District 101: $69,322

Source: Illinois Report Card