And the GEA says they are committed to fair negotiations. If they keep on saying it some how it will become true I guess.

Please BOE stop negotiating until the GEA practices what it preaches.

If you CHOOSE not work, why should your employer continue to pay your benefits? If you want benefits, go to work like the rest of the world (many of whom are not fortunate enough to even have benefits). And not paying for benefits is a form of intimidation, but striking isn't?

Typical union ploy!!

In my opinion they are getting desperate and reachning now to try to get anything to sway public opinion back to the teachers! Not happening, too late for that!

Seems pretty simple to me, if you don't work, you don't get your benefits! Where's the threat?

Make sure to dress warm tomorrow teachers, it's going to be cold! (Wonder if the union leaders will be on the picket line with the troops???.....NOT!!!!!!)

Get agrip. You are not working, why should, you get benefits? The rst of the work has to pay big bucks for COBRA coverage. Do you feel our pain now?

Sorry for the typos.. using iPad.
GEA, what you are doing is making it worse for you. We are NOT sympathetic to your cause. Shame because I used to be one of those parent spending 40 hours a week just to help you in the classroom. Heartbreaking since you have destroyed the impeccable relationship teachers and parents used to have!

I want to join a union so anytime i think I need to be paid more or want better benefits or even want someone else to pay my union dues or insurance....it will happen. Not directly blaming the teachers, but wake up and tell your union they need to be fair for you to get respect in your community. The teachers still need to walk down 3rd st., the state union does not.

If the BoE makes a true statement, when it says the teachers insurance will not be payed when on strike, then that is just helpful info. The GEA is starting to sound like they've run out of ideas all of a sudden.

Whining will get you nowhere, GEA -- time to grow up.

Geneva teachers are attempting to "intimidate" taxpayers by holding this community hostage to their demands. Sorry. It's not going to work. Walk off the job tomorrow? Simple solution. You don't get paid & this includes your benefits.

I can't believe what I'm seeing. The union pointing a finger and saying the School Board is being intimidating. Give me a break! All the union ever does these days is intimidate.

Some students indicate that their teachers have made comments in school in support of the GEA, and derogatory to the BoE and the tax-payers. This is more than unprofessional. This is the stuff of which truly legitimate NLRB complaints are made.

Let's put to rest the notion that the GEA does not take direction from the IEA.
Load this document and then right click on it. From the menu select Document Properties. Note the author: Bob Ray

http://www.gea4students.org/GEA_News_Release_ULP_RC_edits.pdf

Load this IEA site and scroll to Communications: Bob Ray
http://www.ieanea.org/contact-us/offices/chicago/

Good to know Bob Ray has taken an interest in the local issues within CUSD 304. He is know doubt focused on the educational outcomes for our children.

I've heard there are a few teachers that are crossing the picket line tomorrow if there is a strike. I applaud those teachers for supporting their community and doing the right thing.

Of course the GEA is the IEA's sock-puppet. Who would doubt that?

It would be irrational for the GEA on its own to destroy the good relationship Geneva has always had with its teachers. Only State- and National-level "hired guns", who have nothing themselves to lose, would chose to do that. Combativeness makes the union look good in its own eyes, even when it achieves nothing unwinnable by cooperative means.

Any union is first and foremost for itself. Its members are just a means to an end. I was a union member for more than thirty years. I know how they work.

Dear GEA
When you CHOOSE to walk off the job (strike) you CHOOSE to lose your perks (pay, benefits). How is that unfair labor practice? How is that intimidation?

Your organization is SO dysfunctional and out of touch with reality that it is baffling to believe you represent a group that has been honored with the privilege of educating our youth. We have apparently entered crazyland.

Sincerely,

A parent who will no longer "support you "by making your copies, running your learning centers, chaperoning your fieldtrips, managing your classroom parties, teach your art explorer lessons, raise funds for your wish list items, donate to your class gift, put up your bulletin boards, helping during your library and computer lab, volunteer for your various classroom activities, and in general respect you as a fellow teacher.

The teachers tried to meet with the school board over the weekend and are doing their best to avoid a strike, but the school board is the one hindering the process. I am not a teacher, but I believe that our children deserve the best schools. When did we start demonizing teachers who want better schools?

I thought one of the purposes of a union was to support the needs of its members while on strike? Why is health coverage an issue if the IEA h
as your back? Teachers, please show your students an individual is defined by personal choices and not by following a group mentality. Quit the union or demand legitimate leadership.

The teachers in Geneva had the best schools and support. Their greed has destroyed any support from the community. "But it's for the children".

Alex,
The GEA wants money, period. They are asking for +3% raises / a continuation of end of career pension spiking-18% / they are asking non-union teachers who excercised their constitutional and choose not to join the union to pay union dues anyway. They want you and me to pay for the tuition for their next Degrees, then pay them more money when they get them- degrees that in many cases have nothing to do with furthering the education of our kids.
The BOE has been attempting to negotiate with them since Feb., not just the last 2 wks. They are currently meeting with them.
Please don't think I disrespect teachers. I don't, I, like most people in town just can't afford the way they want us to "respect" them.

What does state law say about a districts obligation for salaries and benefits during a strike?

Rob T - great points! I totally agree with your comment.
However,my heart is with a previous comment made by what I can only believe is from a very dedicated mom who gave a lot of her time supporting her school, her children and their teachers. I have been there - and it is disappointing to see the way the GEA shows it's appreciation for the parent support it takes for granted.
I am a Master.s prepared nurse who barley makes the low end of what a grade school level master's prepared teacher at Geneva. Of course, I also work 80 days more a year than a Geneva teacher, weekends and holidays as well.
GEA members continue to complain about their unfair pay - they will be in my thoughts when I leave work at 8:00 pm on Sunday. Poor Geneva teachers....

Folks, the teachers are not in this to try to keep taxpayers happy, and they really don't care what we think. They don't respect us, and probably don't expect any in return. Their only concern is getting what they want from us. The only ones that truly care are the ones that are willing to cross a picket line. Take note!

This is just another step in the negotiation process. I would not put much meaning behind any unfair labor practice complaint or their validity filed by the teachers union.. The only reason it was filed is to try to stop the Board from hiring permanent replacements if so needed. The board can still hire and use replacements at will during a work stoppage but they can not be permanent until the complaint or complaints are heard by the labor board or the contract is settled. Don,t be surprised if the Boards negotiating team itself files a complaint or two.

I have been looking at the listing of salaries for the Geneva teachers. If you click on each of their names you can see how long they have taught and if they have a master's. I don't think having a Master's, in some cases, if really making them a better teacher. Maybe if they are teaching college level courses, but 2nd grade teachers, etc. Why does an elementary school gym teacher need a masters???? I think we should scrape the funding of continuing ed. for teachers, it's being abused. How rediculous for us to pay a gym teacher over 100,000 and pay for getting the masters. Really! Gym Class?

Sue- you do sound like you work too hard and I hope your children are successful and happy... Sounds like you sacrificed much for them. Did you want a different career path? If you hate your job conditions so, maybe you should think about a different career, you obviously are a very motivated and capable individual. Don't be a hater even though it's such an easy way to go! Do nurses typically feel as you do? Is it because of the unfair labor practices so many hospital workers are forced to endure. They make so little compared to doctors and administration. Sometimes you must feel like so many who work so hard but only ask for what's been promised them.
Sometimes all you want is a little respect and the hope that those just starting in your profession get a fair shake. I do get it!

Hey Enough.
You did e everything, EVERY thing for those teachers! And this is how they repay all your selfless sacrifice? And WHAT, if I may ask, has a rich, lazy selfish teacher ever done for you or for anyone, for that matter?

Mom of 4

I don't understand your snarky responses to previous posts. What is the purpose?

"Sue" doesn't seem like a hater, just stating the facts of her experience. Private sector employees pay for their own master's degrees, work year round, and make less in salary and receive less in benefits then many teachers in this district. So it is understandable why there is so little "sympathy" for the demands of the teachers union. And I don't buy for a second that those high on the pay scale really care about the newbies ( or as you stated "hope that those just starting in your profession get a fair shake".) Give me a break, they are only care about protecting their own salaries and pension spiking.

"Enough" made a good points about how many parents have given so much time and resource to their children and the district because they care about the environment in which their students are educated. Now it seems the teachers have lost sight of the "intangible benefit" of teaching in Geneva and think their demands are justified because they are the only reason the students are successful. Ha! Certainly the teachers are a significant factor to the education of the children, but so are the countless parents who make the environment one which produces exceptional children. It is a partnership, and it sounds like "Enough" has had enough of being taken for granted by greedy union teachers.

I can't believe my eyes. Now the GEA thinks they are being unfairly treated with losing benefits if they strike? Are you kidding me???? Where is the attorney for 304 and why are we not filing claims at this point against the Union? The nature of Mrs. Young's motives and her husband's motives based on their respective jobs and personal agenda(s) might be a good place to start! BOE please stop the madness! Please don't give in to this badgering! Who is threatening who here over the last month? Seems GEA continues to demand demand demand and continues to threaten to strike strike strike. C'mon GEA, bring it. And please, while you are on strike take the time to find that high-paying job with excellent benefits and pension that you "deserve". In the meantime, maybe our kids will get what they deserve, teachers who want to teach and are thankful for the job opportunity at a salary the community can afford.

Can I get an Amen?

It really doesn't matter at this point. The teachers and their Union have lost so much respect they might as well take as much as they can get! I used to be proud of our relationship between the community, PTO, teachers, parents. I now feel sick picking my kids up. I can't bear to look them in the eye I feel abused by the whole system. I really feel like I have been cheated on by my teachers. It seems they have been talking smack while smiling to my face and not really understanding our situation or caring they just say pay up sucker you got it bad tough pay up!

T

Have not been totally serious in my comments! But listen, if I wasn't already taken, I might take you up on your offer !

http://illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=5205
"Illinois’ U6 rate also exposes the state’s dire situation. Illinois’ 582,000 unemployment figure doesn’t include an estimated 400,000 who are underemployed and the nearly 100,000 who have stopped looking for work. At 16.3 percent, Illinois’ U6 rate means that nearly 1.1 million people are unemployed or underemployed."

Channel 7 news just had a live report. They are still at it in there. I don't remember what the 2nd year increase was before today, but now the BOE has offered 1.95% and then 2.75% 3rd year. Also, the reporter said that Carol Young said they were optimistic that there will be school tomorrow. I wish we would be able to know tonight. Come in, Jeff...is this info correct?

AAH! Teacher strike... Huh... Good God y'all!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing!
Say it, say it, say it!
Teacher Strike... Huh...!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing!
Listen to me:

Teacher strike ain't nothing but a community breaker
Teacher strikes hurt students, that’s the forgotten one
Teacher strikes have shattered many a parent’s dreams
Makes teachers bitter and mean
Life is but too surely precious, to spend fighting teacher strikes
Teacher strikes can't give harmony, it can only take it away!

AAH! Teacher strikes... Huh... Good God y'all!
What are they good for?
Absolutely nothing!
Say it again
Teacher strikes... Huh... Lord, Lord, Lord...
What it is a good for?
Absolutely nothing!
Listen to me:

Teacher strikes It ain't nothing but a community breaker
Teacher strikes friend only to the union
Defined pensions, retirement spikes and understanding tell me,
is there a place for these today?
They say we must strike to keep our benefits,
but Lord knows there's got to be a better way

Teacher strikes... Huh... Good God y'all!
What is it good for?
You tell me!
Say it, say it, say it, say it!
War... Good God now... Huh!
What is it good for?
Stand up and stop it!

Huh. Mrs young feed info??? Surely u must be joking. Lol. Thanks for the info.

What Mrs Young doesn't know is that no one watches Channel 2 News.

I happened to be flipping channels and saw the reporter standing out in the rain doing the story. You're right though--not a channel of choice for most people.

Bob M. , you have way too much time on your hands!! As for the rest of you Geneva citizens who have been teacher bashing for the past three weeks...I am sadly disappointed in my fellow Genevans! I on the other hand, will support all the hard working teachers tomorrow whether they are on strike or not. I have lived in this town for over 20 years and have paid taxes into this school district without having children in the system until last year.....it is my civic responsibility to do so, as I also believe it is my civic responsibility to support our educators! I can hardly wait for you all to start bashing my response....

We ought to start calling a spade a spade.

There are two kinds of teachers in D-304:
1) those who think they deserve more money because...well...they just want it, and;
2) those who know better but are simply too frightened to stand up to their peers and say, "Enough!"

I'd bet both groups have enough sense not to wear those green shirts out in public, though.

I just drove over to GMSN and the media is gone, but the union and board are still there.

This is my final post for this evening:

http://thefirstward.net/2012/11/11/theyre-still-there/

Doug
I'm not bashing teachers, I'm bashing the situation the GEA has gotten the community in. I have paid Geneva property taxes for 15+ years and don't mind paying taxes until the day I die (then some more). What I don't like is paying a system that is dysfunctional and has been for years. I have spent my time over the last several years trying to figure out how decisions are made in the Geneva School District. The answers aren't pretty and I have spoken out about what needs to change. This teachers agreement is the first step in many changes that will need to occur over the next five years. If changes aren't made, your child's educational experience will suffer. I'm willing to sit down with any Geneva homeowner, school employee or other who is interested in educating themselves about the issues this district/town will face over the next 5 years.
I invite you to attend Monday's BOE meeting starting at 7 pm at the Coultrap facility. Listen closely to the discussion about the 2012 tax levy. Listen to the plan on how the budget for the 2013-14 school year will be developed. Look at the projections for the next 10 years from William Blair & Co. If you think the teachers agreement was difficult, you ain't seen nothin' yet! See what the plan is for your future taxes.
I'll leave you with this question; In 2019 we will pay $24.9 million dollars in debt service payments alone. Last year we paid @$15.5 million in payments. Where is the extra $9.4 million coming from?

Why did Tom Fortune post "Yahoooooo!" At 12:50 last night? How did "Tom" know the result of the negotiations that supposedly concluded only 20min prior? Is the post now deleted? Is "Tom Fortune" Carol Young or her husband? Throughout this debate I've attempted to steer clear of "Tom's" degrading, condescending, juvenile posts.

In light of his inside knowledge "Tom" is clearly within the GEA. I am amazed this individual is amongst the leadership of the GEA.

I recognize we each have the right to our opinions. Several of us have posted emotional outbursts as both sides are passionate in their beliefs. But, a leader is held to a higher standard. Would you approve of a principal or administrator speaking the way "Tom" did? For those of you not familiar with his posts just click on his name in his posts and you will see his plethora of arguments in which he has engaged. There is nothing wrong with arguing both sides. That I respect. Rather, there is a problem when an individual is not truthful, calls others names, etc.

No leader should behave in that manor. If this is who leads the teachers union it is certainly another example of why this system needs reform.

Tom F....yesterday you asked to meet me face to face. I agreed to meet you..you just needed to say the time and place. I'm waiting...
Ann-I think you know all of the answers to your questions. Carol Young and the union are bottom feeders and nothing they pull, nothing they do and nothing they say surprises me.

Tom is clearly an insider. Yesterday his posts were mean and extremely bitter. If he is a teacher and he's representative of the group, wow. The strategy is clear: wear the Board down till they give in. Can you imagine sitting in a meeting for 10 hrs straight? Can you imagine doing or saying one thing with the threat of a lawsuit hanging over your head? There has to be a better way.

And the union has one thing that we do not have: they are organized, we are not. Aside from TaxFacts and this forum, which is a new entity to many of us, we are NOT communicating or acting as a group. If we are going to improve the situation, that has to change.

Not teacher bashing....."bottom feeders"? I have been very well aware of what has been going on with the Geneva School District for the 20 years that I have lived here. Just because my youngest child just started last year in this school system, doesn't mean that I haven't been concerned with our community's educational system. I personally know many teachers and school board members who have taught and served this community with dedication and hard work over the many years I have lived here. Just because the teachers are in a contract dispute does not make them indifferent and selfish individuals! Many of these people are our neighbors, our church members, our friends....and most importantly, our children's teachers. We as a community need to get over the anger and again support our school district and teachers whole-heartedly!

Yes, Doug, we need to support our school district and teachers, but that does not mean that "how we do business" does not need to change. As has been reiterated many times, it is an outdated model. Every industry needs to change to stay viable. Thanks, Bob, for the reminder that tonight's meeting is very important to the future of our community.

At this point people, we just need to trust the school board and it's decisions. They are well aware of how the public feels about the teacher contract. We'll see on Wednesday how it all worked out last night.

I agree with Doug...Many of you complain that I am name calling but completely ignore comments other make like "Bottom Feeder"....I guess you only call people out who don't agree with your point of view.
And many of you are ASSuming again...I do not work in District 304. I work for another district as stated before. I was quiet this morning because I was sleeping in...My district has the day off for Veteran’s Day. The position I hold in my district has allowed me to make many contacts in surrounding districts. It's very frustrating to hear many of you talk about issues that you have no information about.
I'm glad the BOE came to their senses and realized that they can't offer something one minute and take it away the next.

Julie- I went through the last 100 comments again and honestly, there is no comparison to those comments made by people you assume to be teachers or spouses of teachers and community members and their harsh comments....I'm glad that Ms. Young is not your child's teacher, that's for sure. As far as being an "outdated model", I really don't know what you are referring to. The educational system has made many changes over the last decade to be more accountable regarding tenure, teacher evaluations, etc. If you are referring to the bargaining system that goes on between BOE and teacher organizations, what specifically would you change? There are fewer teacher strikes in the last decade than ever before......when I was in college in the early 70's, teacher strikes were the norm. I had a good friend who taught in Elgin and they went on strike almost every contract renewal. No one doubts that in our area of the state, teachers are well compensated for their jobs, IF they stay in their profession for 20+ years. Unfortunately, the rate of teachers quitting the profession after two or three years is alarming at best. As I stated before, we need to as a community, continue supporting our teachers, administrators and schools in whichever way we can...volunteer, attend school functions, and just step back and applaud our teachers for the fantastic job they do in a very difficult profession.

Rest assured that if Mrs. Young was my child's teacher, I would have moved her out of that school. Even a new teacher there said that the entire demeanor of that school has changed since this all began. Doug...you are posting to the wrong person..I have never typed the words, "outdated model". Please adjust your post to the correct person-thanks! Oh, and please take a look at Chris' comments from about 10 minutes ago. Is that not name calling?

Julie- I was only directing the first part of my comments to you...the rest were to other people commenting on my previous post. Sorry, if I confused anyone. I couldn't find any post from "Chris" to read....was it removed?

Dan - such a confusing topic. What can taxpayers do now?

Topic=levy

The levy topic is very confusing and almost impossible to understand the first time going through it.
Bottom line is that the board approved a resolution last night to vote on a 1.5% levy. That vote is scheduled to take place on December 10th. The linked presentation recaps all the options available from 3% to 1.5% but fails to provide the option of a 0% levy. A 1.5% levy provides more money than the district received this year and means a school property tax increase for virtually everyone. https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=33133568

Please watch the video from last night's meeting. Decide for yourself if the tax increase is too high and then let the board know your feelings.
board@geneva304.org

We could always wear green shirts with a big 0% on the front to the school board meeting.