“It’s not about money.” Really?

In recent weeks, The Observer has covered the progress of teacher contract negotiations in Districts 220 and 300.  After a one-day strike, District 300 agreed to a tentative contract with their teachers’ union, LEAD 300, Tuesday evening.   The details of the agreement have not been released, but the main issues were salary and class sizes.   District 220 negotiations, on the other hand, are now entering a mediation phase after talks with the union since last spring resulted in an impasse.

We applaud the openness demonstrated by the District 300 administration during their negotiations.  Offers made to the teacher’s union were posted and updated on their website for all to see.  CUSD 220 administration, however, as left taxpayers in the dark on what has been offered to teachers.  Given the history of the 220 Board of Education’s negotiation prowess, it’s likely the news won’t be satisfying to most taxpayers, and reality is foreshadowed by the maximum five-percent levy increase the board will likely approve at their December 18 meeting.

Teachers in both districts have stated, “It’s not about money,” but an analysis of the numbers might prove otherwise.

Between 2004 and 2012, the average teacher salary in 220 increased from $59,870 to 80,451 – a 34.4% increase in eight years.  During that same period, the average administrator salary climbed from $114,148 to 128,615, a more modest 12.7%, and spending per student went from $10,476 to 13,817 (source: Pioneer Press).

Beyond these salaries tied to pensions lies the Illinois $96 billion pension shortfall for all union employees.  Our elected officials in Springfield are working feverishly at Governor Pat Quinn’s encouragement to shift teacher pension obligations to local school districts.  In other words, taxpayers who have already been hit with a 66% increase in their state income tax rate face even higher property taxes.

Is nearly $14,000 per District 220 student, per year, in expenditures reasonable?  Compared to other unionized school districts, it’s debatable, but when compared to more efficient non-union private schools, it’s exorbitant beyond belief.

For example, St. Anne Catholic School in Barrington charges a tuition fee of $6,070 per student, per year, for grades 1-8 including transportation to and from the school via the same bus company District 220 employs.  They also offer half and full day kindergarten for less per year.  Further, the tuition in Saint Viator in Arlington Heights for grades 9-12 is $11,400 per year, per student.

So in today’s dollars, a K-12 education in District 220 costs $179,621.  The same education delivered in local private schools costs $97,460, so clearly something is broken and in need of repair.

So where is this leading?  With the current economic climate, Barrington Hills homeowners are under siege from all directions.  Unemployment continues to hover around 8%, foreclosures are at record levels and property taxes continue to rise, despite recent drops in assessments in some townships.

Yet, teachers’ unions continue to demand higher salaries, and school boards inevitably cave in.  We wonder when our elected representatives on these boards will finally say enough is enough and have the courage to stand tough against the unreasonable demands of these unions and finally give taxpayers a break.

–     The Observer