ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — Valley View District parents are taking a stand for those watching over their kids on Friday.
The district covers Romeoville and Bolingbrook, where teachers and school staff could be going on strike if a new labor agreement is not reached.
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Contract negotiations have stalled due to a disagreement about adding an additional 20 minutes to the school schedule. The district says this will improve academic performance. However, the union and several parents told ABC7 it just creates more hardship.
It is a small group, but their voices are mighty in advocating for the nearly 1,800 Valley View District staff members who could go on strike soon.
“She’ll be on the front lines,” said Joe Hass, who is married to a Valley View District teacher in Romeoville.
Hass says the district is proposing adding an extra 20 minutes to the school days at Valley View’s two high schools, which means starting the day at 7:10 a.m. instead of 7:30 a.m.
“It takes advantage of a teaching – teachers and staff who their heart and soul into it, and I think they’ve just stepped one step too far over the line,” Hass said.
“If you want the additional 20 minutes, then pay. Pay the teachers accordingly; pay the staff accordingly,” said Valley View District parent Hanna Hernandez.
A statement on the district website addresses the negotiations for new start time, saying, “Over the years, our high school ACT and SAT scores fall below the state average, and we know we must act with purpose to improve outcomes.”
However, the union argued that the change needs to come with a pay raise of 5% for the teachers, paraprofessionals, maintenance crews, nurses, security and other staff they represent. The council president says over 90% of their members have authorized a strike.
“We have security maintenance and paras who, who are struggling, right, just for a livable wage,” said Valley View Council President Jared Ploger.
According to the district’s website, their most recent offer has come close increasing wages of 4.25%, 5% and 4% over three years.
But the impasse is still the additional burden parents say they would feel if school started earlier, with some having to find childcare before 7 a.m.
“Our country has a childcare crisis, and those hours cost more money,” Hernandez said.
The Valley View Council president says they have not made a decision on striking just yet.
“Our goal is not to strike. We know that’s not what’s best for our kids. We know that, but at some point, I mean, they’re leaving us very little choice,” Ploger said.
They want to see how the next school board meeting goes. That meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8.
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