District 211 Avoids Teachers Strike

Updated at 4:06 p.m.:

PALATINE, IL —Township High School District 211 said Monday afternoon that it had reached an agreement with teachers, averting a potential teachers strike that could have started Tuesday and affected students' finals schedule.

"We are pleased to announce that the Board of Education and the Teachers’ Union have reached a resolution to the contract negotiation impasse," the district said in a statement, adding it will release additional details of the contact once it is finalized.

"Because of this, a teachers strike has been averted and school will continue as normally scheduled on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, including the regular school day and all extracurricular practices, clubs, and school-sponsored events," the district said. "Final exams, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, December 19, will be held as normal. Regular exam schedules are available on school websites."

Original story:

While students in Township High School District 211 prepare for finals, teachers in the district prepare for a test of their own. A test of wills between the teachers union and the district as a strike potentially looms, potentially beginning Tuesday, Dec. 17. Should a strike take place, students' finals schedules will be changed.

"I truly regret the discomfort and the possible disruption these negotiations have placed upon District 211," said union president John Braglia in a release.

The district’s superintendent suggested students bring any and all materials they may need to prepare for finals home with them Monday. Should a strike occur, all district buildings will be closed to the public until a new contract can be reached. Along with building closures, all school-sponsored activities, sporting events and clubs will be canceled.

"Hurting our students at final exam time is not the right way to resolve this issue," the board said in a press release. "The Board is committed to continue communicating and exchanging potential solutions with the Union in the hope of reaching an agreement soon."

The school board and teachers union have been at the bargaining table for the past year, to no avail. The board released a statement on Dec. 12 that outlined its position on negotiations, while the union released a similar statement on Dec. 11.

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