Demonstrations of solidarity were exhibited at a recent school board meeting in Rockton, Illinois. Teachers carried picket signs to make themselves heard in regards to negotiations for a new labor contract with administrators. The Rockton Teachers Association recently came off of a five year deal.

Agreement Could Be Reached Before Mediation Services

The teachers and administrators have filed for mediation, but have continued to meet without mediation attorneys present for the time being. Superintendent Mike Greenlee was quoted as saying “The good thing is we're talking...We have meeting dates set up here shortly and I'm still remaining optimistic that we'll get something done and get closer to a settlement.” People representing both the teachers and the administration have not commented on how far they are from an agreement, but did indicate that they will be meeting again without mediation services.

Reserves for the Rockton school district have been rapidly declining over the past few years. 18 teachers were laid off earlier in the year which has caused classrooms to be packed to the allowed limit in an attempt to cut $1.3 million in education spending.

Civil Mediation Could Reflect Other Winnebago County Case

Contract negotiations have become increasingly difficult to agree upon in Winnebago County, Illinois, where Rockton is located. There once was residential growth, but now there is a significant drop in enrollment numbers, lack of aid from the state and increases in the cost of insurance.

Teachers in the neighboring school district of Kinnikinnick, which sends its students to the same high school as Rockton, spent over a year on their recent contract negotiations. The teachers of Kinnikinnick threatened to strike before an agreement was reached that resulted in a drastic pay freeze in year one and a lighter freeze in years two and three of a three year deal.

Teachers of Rockton are hoping to reach an agreement before the mediation begins. “Members of the board of education are reasonable people. We want to have a fair contract and something that's fiscally responsible for the district and, of course, our taxpayers,” said Rich Mayer, co-president of the Rockton Teachers Association.