Teachers, Board of Education reach agreement in District 220
After six months of negotiation, teachers in Barrington Consolidated Community Unit School District 220 finally have a new three-year contract.
The agreement, which includes changes to the health care program, was ratified by the Barrington Education Association Nov. 2 and approved by the Board of Education Nov. 3.
Salaries will increase 1 percent for all teachers in the current 2009-10 school year under the new contract. In addition to the increase, teachers will receive an average annual increase of 2.9 percent. However, under the new health insurance plan, teachers will see an increase in out-of-pocket expenses for co-payments and prescription drugs. This step will save the district between 10 and 15 percent compared to current insurance costs for the school district, according to a statement released by District 220.
“I do think it’s a fair agreement for everyone involved,” said Brian Battle, president of the Barrington 220 Board of Education. “We’re able to, because of the savings achieved in health insurance coverage, continue to provide competitive salaries.”
Melanie Collins, president of the Barrington Education Association, declined to comment.
During the nearly six-month negotiation process, the Board of Education enlisted an independent federal mediator to help with final aspects of the agreement.
“Sometimes people don’t understand that negotiations between school districts and teachers’ unions cover a variety of issues,” Battle said. “It’s not just economics. We deal with how we’re going to tackle a lot of the education issues.”
Annual raises will be based on the Consumer Price Index, a data set estimating the average price of consumer goods and services purchased by households. The board applies CPI when calculating and adjusting yearly district revenue.
“The economic climate that has impacted taxpayers in the school district was clearly a part of it [the negotiations],” Battle said. “There’s a reduced flexibility to certain options.”
In order to contain costs, the district significantly altered its healthcare coverage, the first time major structural changes have been made in the plan in six years, Battle said.
“Employees and their families will see very different plan,” Battle said. “In all likelihood it’ll be the same carrier. The design of the plan will feature, on one-hand, more wellness options and lower deductibles. On the other hand, there will be an increase in the out-of-pocket and co-payments.”
The average net cost to teachers will vary from employee to employee.
“Each individual employee and their family has needs,” Battle said. “Depending on what their particular insurance needs are in a given year, some might see less expense, others may see significantly more money coming out of their pockets.”
The previous three-year agreement expired on Aug. 31. The new contract extends to Aug. 31, 2012.
“I think they [the teachers] are going to like the new insurance plan,” Battle said. “It will keep overall costs in line with our revenue growth going forward.”
—By Michelle Stoffel, Triblocal.com reporter
