School Board Adds Details to Teachers Strike Contingency Plan

Buses will roll, lunches will be served and students will take part in math, writing, reading, art and physical education workshops at Geneva schools should District 304 teachers go on strike.

A School District press release issued at around 1 p.m. offers details on the activities it will offer students should a strike take place Friday or later.

The Geneva Education Association on Oct. 26 filed its intent to strike. Picketing could begin as soon as Friday, Nov. 9. Teachers have been working at 2011-12 salary and benefit levels since the previous three-year contract expired in August.

At Monday's special School Board meeting, officials voted unanimously to accept a new policy on picketing that allows the practice on sidewalks and streets so long as the picket lines don't block access for students, parents, volunteers adn staff. The police prohibits picketing on School District property.

Specific entrances will be designated at each building so that students can avoid crossing the picket lines.

"In the event that the district receives word that the GEA is going to strike, the district will notify families using the emergency notification system, 304Connects, local media and the district website," the press release says.

The School Board last week announced plans to keep schools open should a strike take place. It embellished on those plans with Wednesday's press release and e-mail to parents.

Under the plan, grade-school students will play math games and computer-lab activities, middle school students will participate in team building and hear presentations from community agencies and high school students will have access to the library, computer labs, fitness areas, where they can work out, do research or fill out college application forms.

Attendance is optional but high school students enrolled in classes at the Fox Valley Career Center will be expected to attend classes at the center.

"For planning purposes, it is imperative that we have an accurate count of students who will be in our buildings," the press release says. "If you did not call to inform the district of your intent to send your child(ren) to school during a teacher strike, please call 630-463-3088 as soon as possible."

Parents don't have to call if they intend to keep students at home.

The Board of Education says its intent is to provide a "safe haven for students during the school day in an effort to reduce hardship on families during a strike."

School personnel will supervise age-appropriate activities, including the following:

Elementary Level

Activities will vary by school and may include math games, computer lab activities, presentations from community agencies, writing/journaling, reading time, physical education, arts/crafts, and workshops.

Middle School Level

Students will hear presentations from community agencies; participate in team building activities, interactive games, and physical education activities; play math, strategy and word games; and complete art projects, among other activities.

High School Level

The Fitness Center and gymnasiums will be open for students to exercise, the library will be open as a resource for students, the computer lab will be open for students wishing to work on college applications or other work, classrooms will be available for quiet reading, and other activities are continuing to be developed. 

Buses will follow a regular schedule each day of a strike, and a limited school lunch menu will be offered for purchase at each building.

Information pertaining to negotiations and the potential strike will be communicated through emails to families, the District’s emergency notification system, 304Connects, local media, and the Board’s negotiations webpage.

SOURCE: School District 304

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