In consideration of the financial status of the District and the State and after having discussions over the past two months, officials for both U-46 and the Elgin Teachers Association (ETA) have agreed to begin formal bargaining earlier than traditionally planned. The current contract between the district and the teacher’s union will expire on August 19, 2010. 

 

“We intend to enter what we hope will be a quick, yet thoughtful, bargaining process by starting negotiations earlier than we’ve done in the past,” said Pat Broncato, Chief Legal Officer for School District U-46. 

 

The union and district leadership have already reached an agreement to limit the number of issues that will be brought to the table.   

 

“The ETA membership recognizes the financial condition of the State of Illinois and the school district, and we will take that into consideration as we collectively bargain,” said Tim Davis, President of the Elgin Teachers Association. “We believe that beginning bargaining soon may lead to an earlier resolution, and this is in the best interests of students, staff and the community,” he added.

 

The Elgin Teachers Association represents over 2,500 teachers employed by School District U-46, Illinois’second largest school district with more than 41,000 students in 11 different communities.