Teachers. You may leave. There are plenty of qualified Candidates w Master's degrees that would happily fill your posts. Our economy. Our taxes. All in an uneven tester totter do not allow you to demand more. Get w the Nation and suck it up.

Teachers get real! Take the offer and wait for the economy to get better.

So, the board wanted to meet on Monday after school, giving another day. The teachers want to wait until the last possible moments to start negotiating again - probably because they think it will put more "pressure" on the board. Hopefully the board stays strong and respects the taxpayers of LF that have been suffering. It is time for the teachers to take the same hit the rest of us have.

Teachers...stay strong. The few that post here are not the voice of the community. You deserve an equitable contract. Hang tight.

As i said before hogs get slaughtered. Good shout Nanbrank but you forgot to include your union card.

Our children have been educated in the local schools, and in general, it has been a good experience. The teachers have been good - and the additional resources the local children have (significant parent involvement, outside instruction) have also contributed to this success. For that reason, in a normal economy, I would be strongly supportive of the teachers receiving the salary increases they are seeking. HOWEVER, with the State of Illinois currently ranking 49/50 in solvency and short billions of dollars for pensions, we simply cannot afford it! If Madigan and his "handpicked candidates" get into office in November - we can count on their threats of returning those liabilities to our local school districts. Many of our district teachers are retiring in the short-term - and we are going to be hit hard and quick. So - if our school district does have a small surplus, I'm one of many residents that hope we are holding it for that likely scenario. Relative to their peers in the surrounding communities, the salaries of our teachers are very competitive.

And to the Lake Forest teachers that are currently involved in this - many of you are very important to us- and we count you as our friends, neighbors, and family......I can imagine it would be difficult to not take this personal. But know that it is not. The Board knows that the majority of the residents support their decision to not budge - and I believe your union leadership is not acting in your best interests.

For those who are just joining the action, here is some background information you will need to decide where you stand:

The school board's position regarding the two offers: http://www.lfhs.org

"The Board of Education's proposal includes a competitive average annual increase in compensation of 3.6 percent."
"When the salary step cost, base salary increase, stipends, and interest payments, are added together, the LFEA is proposing annual salary increases of 5.6%, 6.5%, and a final year increase of between 4.76-6.57%"
"The Board of Education is disappointed in both the LFEA’s action in publicly releasing their proposal and in the proposal itself. We feel that the LFEA proposal is highly irresponsible in the current economic environment and that it is inconsistent with current market conditions."

Information regarding our competitiveness in attracting top talent (in my opinion, an invalid gauge of how top talent is attracted, cultivated, and maintained, but people seem to care so here it is):

http://www.lfhs.org/board/LFHS_BOE_Proposal.pdf

"District Teacher Compensation Comparatives
In regard to teacher compensation, in August of 2012 the Chicago Sun-Times
reported that Lake Forest High School’s 2011-2012 teacher salaries were among
the highest in the state. (See chart.)
• LFHS Beginning Bachelor and Beginning Masters salaries ranked
in the top 2%
• LFHS Top Masters and Highest Salary ranked in the top 1%
Additionally, in November of 2011, the Chicago Tribune reported that Lake Forest
High School had the SECOND HIGHEST AVERAGE TEACHER SALARY in the state of Illinois.
While this is due to a combination of teacher experience, education, and salary
schedule compensation, it highlights the fact that the district has been able to
attract, retain, and reward an educated and experienced staff."

Don't the union leaders know how stupid they sound when they say they will meet on Tuesday when the Board has already offered to meet with them Monday? What was the purpose of meeting last night? The tone deafness of the union and by extension all the teachers is appalling. Perhaps a few days walking a picket line and losing pay and benefits will bring them to their senses. Let them strike!

I assume the teachers and their union have read some economic news during the past 2 to 3 years regarding our economy. We all pay more than 10% and most of us pay 50% of our own benefits packages which are less generous packages than what you all are fortunate enough to have.

None of us have guaranteed raises, nor do we have guaranteed jobs tomorrow. Many of us are earning 25% to 50% less than we earned 5 years ago.
Many of us have lost our jobs.

Please realize the rest of us live with a different set of realities than you seem to and really do not support what you are doing.

The golden goose is almost dead already. Why should anyone be guaranteed a raise?
What fantasyland are they living in?????????? Get real people..........

Every one of the moms I know with students at the high school is, like me, astonished at the Union's greed in ignoring economic reality. Now, after reading the Board's strike plan, I can say that I am not as concerned about a strike. It is a good plan and we will get through this just fine until the teachers come to their senses and stop supporting this Union that is leading them seriously astray. Thank you, Board members, for standing up to these irresponsible demands!

Viewing that "website" the teachers created....what a sad, sad video that is. I had some of those teachers, and it's just sad that they really think they are disadvantaged. Plus, a few of them come off extremely elitist, which isn't helping their cause.

LF Board - you should have been even harder. Alas, hold the line or we are coming for your job next election.

More than a few taxpayers are pi$$3d off over how ridiculously generous the Board was in their last and final offer. My advice to the union is to take it and run. It doesn't get much better than that.

If strike happens, it's a good time to check out some of the online learning sites like Khan Academy. I have a nephew that used Khan site to get through A/P calculus since his teacher was so bad. He ended up getting a "4" on the exam all thanks to Khan. This strike can be a gateway to "online learning", an alternative to a high price teacher in a classroom. I'm not sure why online learning is not used for more A/P classes.

@Nancy - link is in the article, last part.

Teachers reading this - your greed will continue to make the state and federal government insolvent. While you are enjoying your pension for life in Florida, the students you claim to care for will be left with the debt, taxes, and economic pain to deal with. For people that claim to care about the next generation, you certainly have a unforgivable way of showing it.

The gravy train is over for you. The taxpayers may or may not win this battle, but the curtain has been pulled back for all to see and we will win in the long run. Your true intentions have been exposed and the taxpayers will be silent no more, in good times or bad. Get ready for the biggest political battle of your career. I'm sure you realize it's already happening.

As a member of the Lake Forest High School Graduating Class of 2010, I proudly support the teachers.

If the teachers in that laughable video think that they are helping their cause, they need to think again. Your pompous sense of entitlement is repulsive and your attitude is galvanizing public sentiment against you. The offer on the table is insanely generous, take it and salvage what is left of your reputations. Go on strike and be prepared for years of resentment.

We want the best teachers in our community. And, of course, we get what we pay for. As a whole, our teachers have delivered. As our superintendent likes to boast, our kids' ACT scores have improved steadily, reaching an all-time high the last couple of years. Thank you, teachers.

It is true that the economy is bad, but it's also true that teaching is not the same as other professions. And it is a profession. While teachers in our district get paid well, they don't have the earning potential that other professions have. They don't get huge raises and bonuses when the economy is booming, like many of we do. And yet they've chosen a profession that is extremely challenging. Have you ever taught a classroom of 25-30 children, many of whom don't want to be there. These are our kids.

So teaching is a very difficult career with limited earning potential compared to other professions (lawyers, doctors, engineers, businessmen and women). On top of it all, teachers are not well respected in this society, which is a shame -- and an indictment. Instead, teachers are greedy. That's laughable. They've chosen a career that is the opposite of greedy.

Teachers are "sheltered" from big raises and bonuses in the best of times. They should also be sheltered in the worst of times. I know, I know. The board's offer is fair. It's a 3.6% raise. But everyone, except for the teachers, is ignoring the board's demands with regard to healthcare. Guys, it's not a 3.6% raise.

If teaching is such a great deal, then more of us would be teachers. Instead, our best and brightest choose professions other than teaching. We acknowledge that education in America is on the decline. We acknowledge that good teachers are critical. And yet we continue bashing teachers. Who would want to be a teacher in this environment? This is a problem that we are exacerbating.

Our teachers are negotiating, just like the board is, and just like many of us do in our jobs. If you are a businessman or woman, a lawyer, an architect or an engineer, you negotiate. This is business, and I would expect our teachers to negotiate, to stand up for themselves, and for their proud profession. If they didn't, then they wouldn't be the teachers I want in my community. They are intelligent and, more importantly, they've chosen a career devoted to our children (something none of us have done). I want teachers who can take a stand. It's a sign of strength -- and of good teaching.

Don't you find it strange that our teachers cannot afford to live in our community? And yet we bash. Teaching is an honorable profession. They deserve more respect.

My family supports the teachers!

@Patrick (union shill) -

Real World we reward and promote the best and the brightest. The laggards get cast out. vs. "Teacherland" there is no differentiation between good and bad. After four years, all have the magic shield of tenure

Real World people pay into their own retirement and the employer "matches" fractionally. This is called defined contribution. vs. Teacherland has a defined benefit pension (that is extinct in Real World).

Real World employers pass increased health insurance costs through to employees. vs. Teacherland where employees expect to pay nothing.

And our teachers can (and do) afford to live in our community. Contrast this with many Real World taxpayers who have seen their jobs disappear, home values plummet and the demands of the teachers skyrocket.

No one is trying to force the teachers to take a huge pay cut. You say 3.6% is not a raise because they will be asked to cover some of their expenses. Well, there are a lot of us Real World taxpayers who would rejoice at that 3.6% that in Patrick World isn't a raise. We are already (and have been for a long time) covering those same expenses.

I am curious whether the younger teachers realize they are being used as pawns by the soon to retire teachers. The Illinois pension system is bankrupt as it cannot sustain the legacy of ultra-generous payouts. Due to a quirk in our state constitution (although I would not entirely rule out a constitutional amendment) benefits cannot be reduced post-retirement. Thus, the "old timers" are scurrying to beef up their pensions so that they can lock in the highest possible payouts. Young teachers are the footsildiers who are on the front lines. You are suffering the greatest losses (in terms of reputation and respect) while your older colleagues will soon take the money and run.

Please don't be greedy and unreasonable.

Let them strike! The reason teachers stay at Lake Forest is not because they care, it is because no other school district would pay what they are asking. If they really cared about the kids and the community, we would not be going through this!

I have the utmost respect for teachers. It is a honorable profession. I know several teachers with masters degrees that would be willing to come forward and teach if these teachers strike! I say let them strike! It is time for a new beginning in Lake Forest!

I write today because I think it's important to consider both sides of an argument. We know good people who are teachers. They are just like us. Their hearts are in the right place -- maybe even more so because they are teachers. They are simply looking out for themselves, as we would do. Our teachers are not being unreasonable. If you are interested in more information about their point of view, then follow this link:

http://gazebonews.com/2012/08/19/what-lake-forest-teachers-want-lfea-issues-statement/

If we cannot walk in their shoes, at least we can try to understand where they are coming from. By the way, I don't believe they will strike. I believe they will settle. Look at our history.

Shirley:
Whether or not I am a homeowner has no bearing on my support for the LFEA or the level of that support. And yes, my teachers were great, but I tell you this: I support them not only because they do amazing work, but also because they do one of the hardest and one of the most important jobs a person can do in this country. I have read proposals and I stand behind the teachers.

Mr. Billings, as a person who has lived in this community for over 10 years, and and as a voter and a taxpayer, I do have a "dog in this hunt".

It is all about trade offs. We had a choice and moved to LF knowing that LFHS wasn't the highest ranked school academically in the area. But, it is a really good school and the benefits of being the smallest on the north shore and in a nice, supportive community well made up for that.

Same thing with you, teachers. You chose to work in a union environment. Despite your passion for teaching, you knew this going in. Just like a young management consultant knows they will have to sell their soul working day and night for the big bucks they hope to earn. You receive lower cash pay vs. other professionals particularly at the beginning largely because of tenure! And, a distant second, more time off too (as a professional, I had to take calls during my honeymoon and worked many holidays away from my family! Do you?) If my firm doesn't do well, guess what? I get fired even if I "worked hard" and am "passionate" and "went to a good school" because the money isn't there and the option of going back to the taxpayer till isn't an option.

Please. Stop this. You have a good offer in a very bad economy.

lth, your dog in the hunt is most likely is on the dole like you.

Marco, I'm sorry you feel that way. However, I am currently a college student who is far from being "on the dole". I am, however, a resident of the Lake Bluff/Lake Forest community who would like to see the way we treat our public servants rise to the level at which they serve us.

lth, dont feel sorry for me. i am happy to pay my fair share. The waste and the excess disappoint me. My guess is you pay little to none of the federal, state or real estate taxes. You have no skin in the game. You can treat the public servants well by paying your fair share of the taxes on every level.

@David Greenburg - I would hope that it was clear from my saying I graduated in 2010 that I am over 18 years old. And, not that it is your business, but I have paid taxes for several years now. But it doesn'tmatter, because here's a little something I picked up in my junior year US History AP class: it used to be that only white men who owned land had the right to vote. That's not true anymore. And the assumption that is made about property taxes being the gateway to having the right to take part in the democratic exercise is about condescending as it gets. I welcome peaceful debate. I do not respect, nor value the opinions of, individuals whose only method of political discourse is insults and the assertions that the other sides very right to speak does not exist. It's called the 26th Amendment to the Constitution. Learn it, love it, respect it.

Marco, I mean no disrespect when I say that I do not feel sorry for you in anyway. Rather, I am sorry that you feel that I am not truthful when I say that I am not "on the dole".

Just to be clear and factual: In the state of Illinois, Teacher Tenure has changed greatly, it's more of an rating system, the skill of the teacher holds a higher emphasizes over seniority, the growth of the student is measured in a teacher evaluation. Look it up and get the facts right about tenure. Three of my children attended LFHS, we support the teachers!

Maybe one of those speakers in the video posted on the teacher's website could explain something. They claim to be passionate about educating children yet they are holding those very children hostage in an attempt to wring the very last dollar out of the taxpayer. There seems to be not just a disconnect, but a chasm between the two positions.

I have seen many comments claiming that the offer on the table is so stingy that it will cause a locust horde like exodus of teachers. We are told that experienced teachers are in such high demand and are so sought after that any of them could land jobs within weeks if not days. However, the teachers prefer to strike rather than to exercise their rights to move on to those greener pastures. Lake Forest ranks 18th and 20th out of 894 in the state for starting salaries. This is clear evidence that there are not many pastures that are actually greener.

The Board has made a very generous off. Please dispense with the theatrics. Either take the offer or leave.

lth and iaf please understand we all support quality education but at what price? Spend spend spend is not the answer. Its nice that you are so generous and thoughtful with your money as well as others. I have a hunch that your feelings would approve the current situation with our federal defcit.

Marco, "the current situation with our national debt" has almost nothing to do with the current debate. I will say however that this last comment of yours that I will respond to. Teachers are not "hogs" and in today's world I fond it in extremely bad taste to be making any reference, regardless of it being simply an ill advised metaphor, to their slaughter. Read the news, we can't afford this kind of talk anymore.

@lth- in your attempt to sound wise beyond your years, you actually come off sounding foolish and naive.

Honestly Me, coming from you that feels like the highest praise I could get.

Sorry LTH, gotta agree with ME on this one. You do look rather like a kid who is dressed up in his fathers clothes.

@Ms. Paulson- Well, first off, I disagree with you over the level of respect the President has shown the Constitution. But regardless, you can respect the Consitution by the very fact that you should. And honestly, the level at which you believe the President respects the US Constitution should have no influence over your acceptance of my constitutional right to vote.

The Patchies quickly turn any contrary opinion into an attack on the person giving it. This is not a forum for discussion, it's a place where a small group of angry people gather to vent over their issue du jour. This month it's the teacher contract. Next month it will be something else. My recommendation to everyone here who is serious in their support of the teachers and of fair negotiations, to show up at the Board meeting on Tuesday and say so...and avoid The Patch like the plague. You won't change any minds here...you just offer yourself up as yet another target for anonymous blog bashing.

@James. Here's the thing that you fail to take into account. Most parents with kids in the system right now are fearful of retaliation against our kids if we speak openly against the union. Most of us really like most of our teachers, but we know so well what damage a union-protected teacher bent on revenge can do to a kid's life. (Been there... done that.)

I suspect the same is true of teachers who might not be fully on board for where their union is leading them. If the union is so confident that what it is doing is in the best interests of the teachers, then why do they force an open strike vote and then bully the handful who are forced to stand up and identify themselves as opposed to a strike?

I know these comments won't change any minds. But, just want to warn you that relative silence from the community does not mean that parents here are in agreement with the union.

Ooh, Patchie, I think I like that label.

Whatever your opinion, the right way to have it heard by people who can impact the situation is to attend the BOE meeting on Sept. 11 at 7:00 pm.

Attendance at the Board meeting will not be truly representative of the opinion of taxpayers. The problem is that all speakers must identify themselves by name and address. If you have a child in the school system, you will be hesitant to appear because you fear that teachers will see revenge on your children. That is why many people choose to post under pseudonyms on blogs.

@little lth - not the same, not even close. Nonetheless, many concerned taxpayers have already voiced our concern with the Board. All members of the Board are fully aware that their personal reputations are at stake if they give in to the union thugs who are holding our children hostage.

Notice what the IHSA said to Chicago Schools regarding athletic contests during a strike. Tell your BOE to work to settle this thing