Our View: Kaneland's $3 million budget deficit
Less than a year after agreeing to give Kaneland School District teachers a raise, district officials are talking about the possibility of reopening contract talks.
The school district faces a $3 million deficit in next year's budget – a gap that it must close.
In November 2008, teachers received a 16 percent raise over three years from the district after negotiations. The contract provided teachers a 4.86 percent increase last year, a 6.21 percent increase this year and will provide teachers a 5.6 percent increase during the third year, the budget year in question.
Throughout the private and public sector, employees have accepted reductions in pay and pay freezes to help their employers through the drastic changes in our economy. We hope the teachers also will step up to the negotiating table despite their recent agreement.
Board member Cheryl Krauspe voted against the new contract last year. The reasoning behind her vote rings true today.
“In this time of economic uncertainty and hardship in our community ... the numbers and dollars are excessive,” Krauspe said in November 2008. “I’m afraid in another three years, the concerns are going to be the same.”
The school board should make the necessary cuts that it can across the district as a means of plugging the $3 million hole. However, if enough money can't be found through cuts, we support going back to the negotiating table with the teachers.
Kaneland finds itself in an uncomfortable position if it cannot adequately cut expenses to bring balance to its bottom line. Asking their teachers to re-evaluate the raise schedule will be no easy conversation. However, at a time when the gap is so wide we advocate that the teachers work with the district to ensure the future viability of Kaneland schools.
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