5 Big Questions D15 Officials Need to Answer About Teachers Contract

When the new, unprecedented 10-year contract between Community Consolidated School District 15 and its teachers was announced nearly a month ago, parents and taxpayers were left with more questions surrounding the deal than actual answers.

That's because officials have revealed very little when it comes to the deal's details, claiming attorneys on both sides still haven't finalized all the language in the contract.

RELATED: D15, Teachers Agree on New 10-Year Contract

This explanation has led to a level of frustration that came to a head during Wednesday's D15 school board meeting when the public and even state lawmakers voiced their ire over the district's less-than-transparent approach to the contract, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Residents criticized officials for keeping taxpayers in the dark and having no one in the negotiations representing their interests. In a joint letter, Republican Sen. Matt Murphy and Rep. Tom Morrison also chastised the district's poor handling of the contract, according to the Tribune.

RELATED: Check Out District 15's FAQ About the New Contract

Here's some of what's known about the deal so far from the district and other reports:

• It's a 10-year contract that runs through 2026.
• Annual salary hikes for most teachers that will average about 2.5 percent for the first four years of the deal and about 4 percent for the remaining six years. These increases will average around 0.9 percent annually over the contract, which is less than the 1.9 percent Consumer Price Index 10-year average.
• Increased workloads for art, music and PE teachers, according to a Daily Herald report.
• Incentives for teachers who take early retirement, the Herald also reports.

That smattering information still leaves plenty of information gaps that need to be filled by District 15 officials when it comes to this controversial contract. The district tried to allay some public concerns by posting an online FAQ. But there are still five major questions officials need to address.

1. What Else Is in the Contract?

Arguably the biggest question (possibly tied with Question No. 2) is also the simplest: What parts of the deal haven't been unveiled?

When the district has been so reticent to reveal any details about the particulars of the agreement, it's natural that the public is curious about all the aspects covered. Especially in a contract that covers so many years.

MORE: Read the Chicago Tribune's Full Story for More About Wednesday's Board Meeting

They say the devil is in the details and residents want to—and have a right to—make sure there isn't one lurking in the deal's fine print.

2. How Much Will It Cost Taxpayers?

The bottom line has been a point of contention since the new contract was announced. While district officials argue the deal's overall structure is a money-saver, critics claim the teacher raises are overly generous.

Then there are the unknown elements that could affect the district's finances. Does the new contract take into account increases in health care coverage and raises to teachers working toward higher degrees, something the Chicago Tribune pointed out? If so, does it make sense and does the math check out?

3. Why Is It Taking So Long to Finalize the Deal?

Past District 15 board members have been critical at the current administration's handling of the new teachers contract.

For the previous contract negotiation in 2012, former Board President Tim Millar told the Daily Herald that teacher salary schedules were released just two days after the deal was approved, and it only took a couple weeks for the entire contract to be finalized and unveiled to the public.

MORE: Read the Daily Herald's Full Story for Its Interviews With Former Board Members

Former board member Scott Herr also told the Herald the current process is taking too long, adding that the tinkering done to the previous contract after initial approval was very minor.

So why has it been taking so long to finalize this deal? Are there parts of the contract that still need resolved? Could those jeopardize the approval and require a return to the bargaining table?

4. How Will Address the Downside to Such a Long Contract?

Although the length of teacher contracts are steadily growing, according to the Daily Herald, 10 years is unheard of in the state. Officials say such a long agreement locks the district into a good deal, both in terms of financial savings and long-term labor stability.

But the locked-in door swings both ways. Herr and Millar told the Herald that a 10-year contract handcuffs future boards to address unforeseen circumstances that can occur over the years. Things like the state's continued economic downward spiral could be financially devastating to the district under the new contract.

Superintendent Scott Thompson told the Daily Herald that the new contract doesn't allow for either side to renegotiate the deal. In the case of financial emergency, would the district simply need to ride out the remaining years of the contract? Or are there other measures it could take to mitigate things?

5. Why Have Officials Been So Secretive About It?

The old political adage goes that the cover up is always worse than what's being covered up. Secrecy—especially secrecy perpetuated by government bodies—breeds suspicion, and it can taint even the best intentions and ideas.

The Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald have had Freedom of Information Act requests for the contract denied. The Illinois Attorney General's Office has asked for district records so it can do a confidential review and wants to know why the district denied the FOIA requests. The district is still in the process of replying, the Tribune reports.

This isn't implying that the district and the teachers union have been withholding information about their agreement because of nefarious dealings in the contract. But it doesn't engender public trust, and it creates an unnecessary complication that officials shouldn't have to worry about.

As Palatine resident Tim McLaughlin told the Tribune on Wednesday: "It just seems like they're trying to pull a fast one."

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